The next edition of Computing Business will concentrate on the role of innovation in IT, specifically around the development of relevant systems and processes for business users.

Pamela Whitby's cover feature makes for an intriguing read - and the following segment neatly illustrates the difficulties of achieving useful IT innovation:

The research from both reports shows there is no shortage of evidence that the business needs IT to innovate, rather than just operate. "Clearly the best approach to innovation is to align the business and the IT strategy," says Lynn Lawton, international president for professional IT governance body ISACA.

However, marrying the business strategy with the IT strategy poses some real challenges. One clear problem is communication - and the IT department and business seldom talk the same language. "People tend to get bogged down in acronyms and infrastructure," says Lawton.

Just 18 per cent of users agree that the IT department always communicates its objectives, according to the the IT Governance Institute - hardly an improvement on 2005, where just 14 per cent of users felt IT communicated its objectives. But be aware that poor communication is not just an IT concern. "Quite often business sees the IT department as nothing more than suppliers of electricity," says Lawton.

Lack of alignment, over-use of acronyms and a lack of respect from users - some things never change, eh? While the role of technology in modern business cannot be underestimated, it seems innovators will have to continue to fight for respect from line-of-business managers.

Roll on the revolution! Whatever that might look like...

Further reading

• There is a depressing lack of innovation in UK IT
• Social web is about improvement, not innovation
• Motion sensing: Wii must replace the mouse
• The future of technology, according to Gartner
• Forget the downturn and fight for innovation
• Don’t be afraid to be an IT innovator

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Want to contact the writer? Email Mark Samuels