Gartner Recommends IT Organizations Establish IT Cost-Cutting Programs Now

Business Wire, Feb 25, 2008

IT Leaders Should Set Up Ground Rules for Complying with Cost-Cutting Mandates by Following a Six-Step Plan

STAMFORD, Conn. -- IT organizations should not wait for an official declaration that a recession has begun before undertaking IT cost-cutting efforts, according to Gartner, Inc. Gartner analysts believe that economic factors in the United States have deteriorated to the point where action is required and are advising U.S. businesses to prepare for cutting IT costs. Organizations based in other countries where gross domestic product (GDP) growth is projected to grow less than 2 percent in 2008 are also advised to prepare for IT cost cutting now.

"Last October we published research recommending that organizations should prepare two IT budgets for 2008, the first reflecting guidance already provided by senior decision makers and a second 'backup' budget assuming the need to cut costs in response to the arrival of a business slowdown," said Ken McGee, vice-president and Gartner Fellow. "Since that time the factors we based the research on -- such as GDP growth projections and expert predictions for the likelihood of a recession -- have worsened to a degree that convinces us it is now time for clients to prepare for cutting IT costs."

Gartner believes that as concerns increase for the near-term health of some of the world's largest economies, those responsible for IT budgets can expect to receive mandates from senior executives to cut IT costs as part of an enterprisewide cost-cutting program. It recommends that organizations begin establishing ground rules for complying with such a cost-cutting mandate by following a six-step plan:

Step 1 -- Don't Wait for the Cost-Cutting Mandate from Management

History proves that many organizations wait many months after a start of a recession to be informed that the recession has begun. Owing to the uncertainty and profound time-lag connected with the start and end dates of a recession, Gartner advocates preparing a cost-cutting team now rather than waiting for official notification.

Step 2 -- Choose the Best and Brightest IT People for the Team

Gartner recommends that top performers are assigned to lead IT cost-cutting programs and that all other duties from their day-to-day tasks are removed for the duration of the cost-cutting assignment. Year-end financial bonuses should be based exclusively on the amount of money the team saves in 2008.

Step 3 -- Don't Allow Finger-Pointing or Second Guessing

Cost-cutting teams need to assume that everything that was done in the past was the right thing to do at that time and not dwell on earlier decisions. They should identify the target for cost-cutting, perform the appropriate action and move on.

Step 4 -- Enlist an Internal Auditor as Scorekeeper

If cost-cutting is to be accurately reflected in the IT and wider enterprise budget, then the appointment of a relatively senior accountant or auditor is crucial. They should ensure that any savings identified by the cost-cutting team not only leave the IT budget but actually leave the expense pool of the entire organization. The auditor's list of savings will also provide an official record of the team's performance.

Step 5 -- Report Results on a Weekly Basis

Senior management should not be kept guessing about the progress made on reducing costs. During tough economic times, the IT cost-cutting team should provide a weekly report that depicts savings achieved since the last weekly report along with aggregate year-to-date savings.

Step 6 -- Identify a Liaison from the Legal Department

IT cost-cutting teams will almost certainly encounter legal issues pertaining to contractual obligations such as maintenance contracts and penalty clauses. Quick access to legal guidance will be invaluable so that all team members can quickly arrive at cost-cutting solutions without increasing the liability of the company.

Mr. McGee will provide more detailed analysis on challenges facing the IT Industry at the upcoming Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2008: Emerging Trends, April 6-10 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Gartner Symposium/ITxpo: Emerging Trends is Gartner's premier event focused on the emerging trends, technologies, business models and new management thinking poised to have a dramatic impact on business, the economy and society. Thousands of IT professionals from the world's leading enterprises rely on Gartner's Symposium/ITxpo: Emerging Trends event to gain insight into how their organizations can use technology to address business challenges and improve operational efficiency. For more information, please visit www.gartner.com/us/emergingtrends. Members of the media can register by contacting GartnerEvents@text100.com.

About Gartner

Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) is the world's leading information technology research and advisory company. Gartner delivers the technology-related insight necessary for its clients to make the right decisions, every day. From CIOs and senior IT leaders in corporations and government agencies, to business leaders in high-tech and telecom enterprises and professional services firms, to technology investors, Gartner is the indispensable partner to 60,000 clients in 10,000 distinct organizations. Through the resources of Gartner Research, Gartner Consulting and Gartner Events, Gartner works with every client to research, analyze and interpret the business of IT within the context of their individual role. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A., and has 3,900 associates, including 1,200 research analysts and consultants in 75 countries. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.