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November 30, 2001
Further evidence supports the Surrex Solutions Corporation article
of 10/26/01. We stated that "The Highly
focused IT expert may be somewhat immune to the IT downturn."
It turns out further data indicates that not only is the highly
specialized IT expert somewhat immune, but also the IT Services
Sector as a whole looks very bright.
505 IT Consulting Jobs Available
Contrary to much of the negative press on the economy as of late,
a recent report by Gartner Dataquest indicates the IT Services Sector
remains strong when looking at the sector in an intermediate and
long range time frame. Recent downturns in the market are perturbations,
which are short-term in nature.
Indications are IT Consulting remains a solid profession with
excellent opportunity for the foreseeable future. The report states
that the worldwide IT services market will be $1 trillion in year
2004. Compounded annual growth of 19% in the sector is projected
to reach this mark. Good news for the IT Services Sector means good
news for the IT Professional servicing the sector.
It is no surprise that technology is evolving to support efficient
business models while business models are evolving to take advantage
of the efficiencies that technology offers. These factors are fueling
demand while a simultaneously continued shortage of skilled IT professionals
and software developers is expected.
"Transformational Solutions are out...
and Optimization Solutions are in."
In the short term, IT Consulting professionals who were part of
the dot.com disaster must now tap into their more traditional skill
sets and be prepared to optimize current systems in place. Smaller
projects, shorter in duration with significant pricing pressure
is the current norm. IT Consultants need to be more flexible in
project assignment selection in terms of technology, compensation,
and assignment length. IT Professional Services market growth will
primarily be driven by more traditional IT professional service
providers over the next several years. IT Professionals take heed.
Those that do should have fewer problems in weathering the current
market conditions and then excelling in the near future. Surrex
Solutions spoke to Michele Cantara, senior analyst with Gartner
Dataquest. She stated it best: "Transformational Solutions are out
and Optimization Solutions are in." Transformational Solutions being
referred to, for example, might be a new ERP project which might
take several years to implement vs. an Optimization Solution where
a system upgrade project and the business result associated with
the project will be recognized in no more than 2 quarters out. Project
Managers must focus some of their energies in teaming with and supporting
return on investment analysis and business strategy professionals
so that the business outcomes resulting from the technical solution
can clearly be established.
In support of this, we at Surrex Solutions are finding Business
managers are becoming more directly involved in the IT project selection
decision making process. Cantara further stated "Service providers
must perform to clearly established milestones so that clients can
easily measure their return on investment." ROI is what Business
managers are all about.
Bottom Line: IT Consultants and especially Project Managers should
remain keenly aware of the importance of interfacing with Business
Managers and aid in supporting the bottom line result. |
