Squaring Off; What's Next for IT? Are tech departments withering away -- or evolving to take on an even bigger role? Three experts weigh in
What's the future of the IT department?</br></br>Some analysts have suggested the IT department is withering. Most of the work it now performs eventually will be automated, outsourced or handed off to other departments, these observers say.</br></br>But others see the IT department growing in importance as it takes on an increasingly strategic role. From this perspective, IT is undergoing a transformation from a behind-the-scenes department to one that holds real clout within the company and plays a significant part in the development of products, processes and services that help the company grow.</br></br>Francesca Donner, an editor for The Wall Street Journal Online in New York, discussed the changing role of the IT department in an email exchange with three chief information officers -- Meg McCarthy of Aetna Inc., Frank Modruson of Accenture Ltd. and Steve Squeri of American Express Co. Following are edited excerpts from their discussion.</br></br>THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Analysts have written that IT departments are becoming more strategy- and business-oriented. Do you agree?