BKDSITMT.RVW   20060827

"Does IT Matter", Nicholas G. Carr, 2004, 1-59139-444-9,
U$26.95/C$40.95
%A   Nicholas G. Carr
%C   60 Harvard Way, Boston MA   02163
%D   2004
%G   1-59139-444-9
%I   Harvard Business School Press
%O   U$26.95/C$40.95 800-545-7685 http://www.hbsp.harvard.edu
%O  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1591394449/robsladesinterne
  http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1591394449/robsladesinte-21
%O   http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/1591394449/robsladesin03-20
%O   Audience i Tech 1 Writing 2 (see revfaq.htm for explanation)
%P   191 p.
%T   "Does IT Matter"

In the preface, Carr states that it is impossible to predict or
explain successes or failures of the implementation of IT projects,
and that business is investing in IT without a clear understanding of
the strategic or financial impacts of IT.  (Which would make it
somewhat difficult to do cost/benefit assessments during risk
analysis.)  He also states the IT is no longer strategic but a
commodity: a necessity, but not a benefit.  Chapter one repeats this
latter idea.  (Since Carr's own definition of IT includes both
hardware and software, it is odd that this assessment seems to be
based solely on hardware and off-the shelf software.)  The concept of
movement from strategic to infrastructure technology is reviewed, in
historical terms, with examinations of the nineteenth century rise of
the railroads and electricity, in chapter two.  Carr details his
argument in chapter three, addressing the different types of software. 
Chapter four is a historical review of IT business successes, but does
little to advance the argument.  Chapter five almost seems to be
making the case that nothing gives a business advantage any more.  The
failure to control IT spending is examined in chapter six, along with
system disasters.  Finally, in chapter seven, we are told that
expectations that computers would run everything for us are
unrealistic.

I'm sorry, but I don't know what all the fuss was about.  Carr was
probably right: it always has been extremely difficult to make a
business case for information technology.  His book, however, does not
provide us with any helpful suggestions.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 2006   BKDSITMT.RVW   20060827