Changing the level of the IT function in the firm was an important statement to our associates, and to clients and vendors, that the function had reached a level of credibility and recognition. The company was growing and its systems and infrastructure had to change as well. For some companies, that change includes a shift of the IT function away from the financial department and the hierarchy of reporting to the chief financial officer. But other construction industry firms have yet to embrace new approaches that give CIOs entr e to senior management. But many CIOs say that the importance of the corporate reporting relationship pales beside the commitment of the company's chief executive to information technology.
Some people rely on titles.
Others agree top-down support is critical. If you don't get that support, you might as well forget it. But in construction, the IT function is still struggling for respect. Part of the problem may be that many senior level personnel have yet to integrate computer tools into their own personal work processes. We have board-level involvement.