Most companies recognize some flavor of the IT project lifecycle and use processes to manage each stage of the lifecycle. The common stages include project definition (including building the business case); project approval and prioritization; project development and implementation; ongoing operation, support, and maintenance; and finally, retirement.

The purpose of this Executive Update is to discuss the conundrum of data integration and compliance as well as the roles that IT must play when addressing compliance issues.

It has been said that information is merely the correlation and selection of data and that, by extension, knowledge is the correlation and selection of information. I have said it myself. I was wrong.

When senior management decides to acquire another company, all too often it focuses on financial and legal due diligence but neglects the importance of conducting IT due diligence. In most companies, technology plays a vital role in the ability to deliver products and services, improve employee productivity, and increase company profitability.

Everywhere you turn, there is seemingly no end to the number of articles that discuss technology organizations that are out of focus with company needs. Yet while there is much press coverage of the problem, the issue is hardly new.