I attended a vendor conference yesterday and the topic was ‘Watch the Gap’, where several invited speakers and the hosts went through the familiar ritual of donning sackcloth and wailing about the growing gap between Business and IT. But I wondered what’s the gap? In fact, what’s this thing called the Business that is so much at odds with IT?

I suggest that whatever gap there has been is pretty much on par with any other business discipline and the rest of the ‘Business’. How often have you heard line managers sighing "human resources" when they have been requested to tighten up performance review processes, or there has been disparaging comments about "bean counters" when finance has introduced a new set of controls.

I believe the Business / IT gap is actually a group-thinking contrivance nurtured within the IT fraternity and happily capitalised on by industry suppliers to develop cross-industry camaraderie and a sense of "we understand your pai". It’s a familiar topic that we can all nod together with some common understanding and feel bonded on a mission to change the world.

Yes, there was a gap when IT was a purely technical discipline before the evolution over the last 30 years towards an integrated business service. But that gap is now much smaller than it was in the 80’s thanks to a conscientious effort of our cross-industry discipline to deliver value to our businesses. The frustration we in IT feel from other areas of the Business isn’t a symptom of a growing gap, it’s a consequence of the increased importance of IT to the Business as a whole.

It’s now time for IT to cease its apologetics and get on with the business of being part of the Business.

What do you think? Are we ready to be part of the Business or have we got some more growing up to do?