While a shocking and likely offensive statement from some app dev perspectives, the development of applications is ultimately a subcomponent of the overall IT service. Sitting alongside service design activities, any written code is ultimately part of a more broadly defined IT service that gets delivered to the rightful consumers of that service. I&O execs should therefore build on the aforementioned educational activities to position the somewhat isolated app dev role into a more central service dev role. Instead of isolating dev group members as the narcissistic "them" who look down on "us," embrace this team as partners in providing relevant services to your joint customers. Key service metric monitoring and liberal use of feedback mechanisms will need to be in place to ensure that mindsets, and resulting behaviors, are actually changing.

There are reasons why some of us love to work in app dev and why others gravitate to the logical demands of programming. However, this isn't an excuse for not working together for the good of the business. Senior management needs to ensure that there is a better mix of skills and personality types within IT functional groups. Review people management and development processes and frameworks in conjunction with HR. This will identify issues and gaps in IT people and their knowledge, skills, and development.