November 12, 2013
A changing IT industry results in changing roles for IT professionals. Adjusting to a new role and new responsibilities isn’t always easy. Our advice: prepare and adapt. Predicting when your role could change will help you adjust to new responsibilities and being open to the change will make for a much smoother transition.
Now, more than ever, the role of IT within organizations is changing. IT departments are faced with new responsibilities as cloud computing gains steam, more employees are using their own devices, and more employees are working remotely. In this ever-changing environment it’s easy for previous roles to fall out of sync with the needs of your department and organization as a whole.
In the past, the role of many IT departments was to choose which software and products to use based on the needs of the company and which option would stay relevant the longest. The software and products were then managed and maintained solely by the IT department. Now, more employees are side-stepping around IT and making tech decisions for themselves; resulting in a cluster of systems that “the IT guys” will make sense of.
To regain control of the company’s technical profile IT professionals should start by being proactive when it comes to training on new innovations as they are introduced. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed if your company switches to a new system.
It’s also more important now than it has been in the past for IT to work cohesively with the rest of the company. Non-IT employees have a better understanding of new technology, and IT employees should have a better understanding of the “business” side of things. The world has become more tech-aware and so business plans rely ontechnology to succeed. Understanding how business in general is changing can help you to predict how the company’s IT needs will change, and in turn how your role might be affected.
If your role is affected, communication is a key component of a smooth transition. Sit down with your supervisor to discuss the exact parameters of your revised responsibilities. Convey the role change to the rest of the team/department to make sure everyone is aware and on the same page.
Finally, you shouldn’t think of a role change negatively. Look at your new responsibilities as a challenge and a chance to grow. Your role change may or may not come with a new title or a promotion; but it’s an opportunity to expand your skill set.
What are your tips for changing roles? Share your thoughts below!
Posted By: Sarah Brown