10 BIG I.T. Timewasters

1. Helpdesks who focus on fixing problems instead of solving the underlying cause of the problem.

2. Unnecessary paperwork, creating unusable documentation. (Note I didn't say all paperwork.)

3. Developing "traditional" (paper based) system training, instead of video based training.

4. IT structure - too many approval (management) layers, causing delays in paperwork, project approval or project completion. Having to run every decision "up the flagpole".

5. Meetings which aren't results focused and therefore last too long.

6. Working on the wrong things. (Enhancing systems which should be replaced, or which aren't a priority - just because you're resourced that way...)

7. Duplicating tasks. Writing a status report for your boss. Writing a project update for your users, then writing a seperate update for your staff. RSS, wikis can VASTLY reduce the amount of communicating you currently do.

8. Not being bold enough. My team once did an entire ERP upgrade in 12 weeks - because we challenged ourselves to get it done. Had we decided to take 6 months, it would have been done in six months, because we would have done tasks that would have not contributed (in a meaningful way) to a positive outcome. By artificially shortening the deadline, we did the things that really mattered.

9. Not trusting your staff. If you can't trust them, why are they working for you? Provide them with appropriate training and coaching or get rid of them!

10. Being focused on I.T. results, instead of business results. If you measure everything you do in business metrics, your internal customers will be MUCH happier. You'll help reinforce I.T. and business alignment.