Reorganisation Triggers

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been speaking with CIOs, CTOs and other business leaders, and a recurring theme continues to surface: the distinction between technical capability and technical currency.

They may sound similar, but they’re very different, they are reorganisation triggers too!.

Someone can be technically capable – experienced, knowledgeable, skilled – yet not current. Their expertise, while once highly valued, may no longer align with today’s technology landscape. This is a reality I’ve seen play out in many organisations, where individuals are unintentionally left behind because their focus remained on what they already knew, rather than what the business now requires.

Reorganisation - What Capabilities Are Truly Needed?

If you're considering a reorganisation, it’s worth taking a deeper look at your current IT capability. Not just identifying gaps, but understanding whether those capabilities are actually critical to delivering your strategy and creating value for the business. In some cases, what looks like a gap may not be a requirement at all.

Leadership Reflection - Have We Supported Growth?

When having challenging conversations about technical currency, a little self-reflection is worthwhile. If someone’s skills are no longer current, how responsible are we as leaders? Were the right development plans put in place? Did we invest in training and upskilling? It’s easy to assess an individual’s shortfall, but much harder to reflect on the system that may have contributed to it.

A Word of Caution - External Partners and Hidden Agendas

One final note. Be cautious about who you partner with during these times. Some advisors will help identify gaps in your team’s capabilities and then conveniently offer a solution … One that often involves outsourcing or shifting significant functions to external partners. On the surface, it might seem like progress. But before you act, consider the long-term implications for your internal capability, culture, and control.

Thank you to those leaders who have had these conversations with me. These are complex matters without perfect answers, but thoughtful consideration can go a long way.

What to learn more or have a chat?

Email me here.