The secret to AI project success, like any IT project, lies in alignment across executive leadership, business leadership, and IT (whether internal or tech vendors). It’s as simple as that. Yet, with every wave of new technology, we often see this alignment break down, resulting in wasted time, energy, dollars, and resources.
Why does this happen? Several common factors contribute to this misalignment. Executive leaders, influenced by the news cycle or competitors’ announcements, often push to adopt new technology quickly to avoid being left behind. Meanwhile, business unit leaders, who manage specific departments or segments of the business, may not fully understand the implications, risks, or potential of the new technology early in the adoption cycle. They have a business to run, and staying updated on the latest tech is an additional burden. At the same time, IT teams and vendors are typically eager to deploy the latest technologies. However, despite their technical expertise, they might not fully grasp what is most crucial for the business.
Today, the spotlight is on AI—really Generative AI as various forms of AI have been in most companies for over 20 years. Yet, turn the clock back on almost any wave of digital transformation and you see a familiar pattern of business misalignment at the onset of digital transformation waves.
The stakes are high because businesses that capitalize on new technology faster and more efficiently then rivals can get competitive advantage. Conversely, businesses that take a detour and miss the mark with these project risk squandering precious time and resources, falling behind as rivals excel.
Excelling in AI is the same in any digital transformation project. Executive leadership must be well-versed in the technology and its business applications, providing strong and informed guidance. Operational business leaders should drive the project, focusing on business purposes, use cases, and strategy. IT teams and vendors should leverage their technical expertise to meet the most critical business needs and objectives.
When these elements are in harmony, IT and digital transformation projects are more likely to succeed, delivering the greatest and most predictable business benefits. This principle holds true for today’s AI advancements and will remain relevant as future technologies emerge.
