IT projects that matter

Is it finally time to put Nicholas G. Carr’s theory to rest? If the name Carr isn’t familiar, then certainly his 2003 Harvard Business Review polemic, “IT Doesn’t Matter,” should ring a bell. Carr’s contention — that IT has become such a commodity that it no longer provides competitive advantage — got loads of press and generated copious commentary, both pro and con.

Well, our 2005 InfoWorld 100 Awards, representing the 100 most innovative IT projects of the year, stand as eloquent testimony to the overwhelming importance of IT and its capability to transform business. Whether it’s Coldwell Banker saving a fortune by building a voice and video over IP system, or Essent Energie vastly improving its energy traders’ performance by integrating a slew of applications into a single gas optimization and management platform, our honorees’ IT efforts were critical to their organizations’ success in 2005. In fact, though the projects and the problems they tackle are remarkably diverse, virtually all of our winners addressed the bottom line, driving cost savings, efficiencies, and new functionality across the board. If that doesn’t matter, I don’t know what does.

As we’ve done in the past, our panel of judges narrowed the initial field of entries to 100 winners. But this year, we took an additional step, identifying the 20 most impressive projects from that already rarefied list. All 20 finalists are profiled here — alongside a listing of the entire InfoWorld 100. In March 2006, we’ll refine that list even further — announcing the InfoWorld Project of the Year, plus four runners-up — and offer more detailed descriptions of the projects that most inspired our panel.

On a wholly unrelated note, I’m seeking feedback on two recent InfoWorld changes. A few months back, we introduced both Off the Record and David L. Margulius’ From the Analysts. Off the Record recounts real-world IT adventures and war stories, as told each week by a different anonymous reader. Margulius’ column gets behind the numbers, critiquing and providing context for industry analyst reports and research. We’ve given both columns a chance to find their voices; now we want to know what you think of them.

As part of that effort, InfoWorld is currently fielding a major reader survey that will supply readership numbers for both columns, as well as relevant information about how you rate the rest of the magazine and Web site. But I’d like to supplement that research — spreadsheets full of hardheaded metrics — with something more subjective and personal. Should we keep either, neither, or both of these columns? Should we change ’em? And why?

This is your chance to play judge and jury. Send me an e-mail and tell me what you think.