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Because malicious, unapproved software can bring down an entire IT infrastructure, many companies keep a tight reign on the software employees can use. Yet, the Harvard Business Review warns about the dangerous lag time between customers identifying a real need and IT satisfying it.

When all IT decisions are made at the very top, i.e., the CEO must approve new products, and the CIO has to see them as a priority, employees who are feeling the heat to perform may cut corners and go rogue.  The speed at which new, unsanctioned, specialized technology is available, and the ease of downloading it can turn an innocent productivity hack into a company-wide nightmare. 

A possible solution:  think small – department by department.  With IT support, allow business leaders to decide on solutions – rather than going for a total-system-solution from a big supplier. 

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