What is the technology department for?

Gone are the days when technology was just about boxes, wires, and the geeks tucked away in the back corner of the office. Today, technology is no longer a niche support function — it’s the backbone of any successful business. But simply having tech tools isn’t what drives success. It’s about how we apply them to deliver real value.

To be effective as technology professionals, we must be crystal clear and articulate about our value proposition to the businesses we serve.

While each of us may work in different industries, the core value of technology remains consistent: enabling productivity. At its heart, technology is a tool to make people more efficient and effective in their work.

Let’s start with a basic definition of productivity, from BusinessDictionary.com:

"A measure of the efficiency of a person, machine, factory, system, etc., in converting inputs into useful outputs. Productivity is computed by dividing average output per period by the total costs incurred or resources (capital, energy, material, personnel) consumed in that period."

In essence, our role as technology professionals is to improve this conversion of inputs into outputs. Every system, tool, or platform we implement should contribute to that core goal.

Isn't Technology About More Than Productivity?

Some might argue that technology is about more than just making people productive. What about mitigating risk? What about improving the quality of decision-making?

That’s true — we do help businesses make better decisions and manage risks more effectively. But if we break it down, these are still functions of productivity. Helping leaders make better decisions means increasing their output by improving the quality and speed of their choices. And while we don't directly mitigate risk ourselves, we implement systems that empower businesses to manage risks more efficiently.

Ultimately, it all ties back to making people more capable, informed, and productive.

Why This Perspective Matters

It’s easy to get lost in the excitement of new technology — the latest app, platform, or system. We can become so absorbed in delivering a project that we lose sight of the bigger picture.

When you’re deep in the weeds of a project, ask yourself: Is this work making my business more productive?

If the answer is a clear yes, then you’re on the right track. If not, it’s time to recalibrate.

Technology isn’t just about innovation for its own sake. It’s about delivering tangible business value — helping people do more, do it better, and do it faster. When we keep this in mind, we ensure that our work remains relevant, impactful, and essential.