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Volume 12 Issue 1
February 2009
Critical Success Factors for Effective IT Leadership
Natja von Urff Kaufeld, Vimbayi Chari and David Freeme
Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
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Many researchers, including Tae-In Fom (2003:3291) have found that the only way for the IT industry to counter the negative factors faced by IT professionals is to develop strong leadership among the professionals. The lack of support for IT in organisations, coupled with the complexity and pressure of the environment surrounding IT, has led to an increasing outcry for strong and effective leadership within IT. In order for IT professionals to succeed in developing systems that create value and that correctly identify and address the business needs of the firms that they work for, they require knowledge and experience of effective leadership skills.
This research explores the definitions and Critical Success Factors that influence the effectiveness of general leadership and IT leadership in particular. The research also investigates what competencies are required of IT professionals in order for them to be effective IT leaders. The research integrated these Critical Success Factors into a framework that can be used to develop effective IT leaders.
The research was conducted using a qualitative approach through the review of various existing literature covering the topics of leadership and IT leadership. A comparison and analysis of current models culminated in the proposal of two new unique models displaying the Critical Success Factors of effective IT leadership within the operational, tactical and strategic levels of the business.
The proposed models suggest that a leader needs to shift his/her skills and focus within each of the business levels, from the team’s skills, to individual skills and ambition. The IT Leadership Focus Model suggests that Information Systems post graduate courses in the higher tertiary education environment should promote Vision and Mission, Business Knowledge, Risk Management and Empowerment competencies to prospective IT leaders to promote their effectiveness in industry.
Keywords:
critical success factors, effectiveness, leadership, model, CIO
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