Gartner's suggestion that chief information officers (CIOs) should create a back-up IT budget for 2008 is both obvious and depressing. The analyst says technology leaders should produce a contingency budget in case of a business slowdown.

But is there any IT director that does not already work with a contingency? Surely every technology leader recognises that deadlines can be missed, projects can run over budget and the economic climate can turn sour? To be fair, Gartner tightens its recommendations by stating that CIOs should prepare now before they are asked to reduce costs. The analyst says technology leaders should target a decrease in IT spending of at least 10 per cent.

But such cuts could produce a self-fulfilling prophecy. While the economy is not in recession yet, keep talking about a downturn and we can all watch the slump become manifest...