According to Gartner, Chief Information Officers (CIOs) should create two IT budgets for 2008.  Analysts warned that due to the recent turmoil in credit markets around the world and continued uncertainty surrounding the future economic climate, companies need to plan for all eventualities.

Gartner advises CIOs to create two separate budgets; the first should reflect the guidance already provided by senior decision makers but this should be supplemented by a second ‘back-up’ budget that assumes the need to cut costs in response to the arrival of a business slowdown.

“Although the financial outlook for 2008 remains far from certain, waiting for a clear economic trend to appear prior to taking action is not a prudent option,” said Ken McGee, vice-president and Gartner fellow.  “There is already sufficient concern about the possibility of a business slowdown for next year from enough credible and independent sources to suggest that preparing a backup cost-cutting IT budget now is just plain good management.”

According to Gartner, CIOs need to have a ‘recession budget’ and business plan ready for immediate implementation long before being asked to reduce costs.

CIOs and IT managers who play their part in preserving as much enterprise profitability as possible will benefit the wider organisation. “Creating a responsible alternative recession IT budget now will demonstrate the type of innovative and forward thinking that senior executives expect to see from their staff,” said McGee.  “It will also show the kind of flexibility and agility needed to respond to fast-changing economic and business conditions.”