IT should address each of the three sections — demand, control and supply — of the IT strategy to determine how innovation fits in. In general, IT should ensure that each major section of the strategy is linked to the opportunities for innovation directly. Rather than tacking on a separate innovation section to the strategy, IT should weave innovation into each section to make it a real part of the operational day-to-day activities.

In general, weaving innovation into IT strategy means more than addressing each section of the strategy. Success requires adopting a set of common values that underpin and encourage innovation in IT. For innovation to flourish, it is important to promote values such as the protection of risk-takers and those who try new things. There must be recognition that, for innovation, trying is more valuable than succeeding in the short term, and that embracing unknown terrain is to be encouraged.

CIOs and IT directors who are able to personify and transmit these values will have greater success at delivering innovation through their IT strategies.