IT leaders need more political skills now and have to "be willing to take a humble approach if that's what it takes to get the end result," Norrgard added. "IT cannot dictate, and sometimes cannot be the face out front [on projects]."

Technology is still a big part of the innovation equation at Talley Defense Systems Inc., a maker of weapon systems and other products in Mesa, Ariz. Jim Speer, Talley's director of information systems, said that about half of the IT innovation at Talley is driven by user needs, while the other half is driven by technology "without inputs or recognition from the user community."

Speer added that Talley's IT department definitely leads other operations in the push for innovation inside the company. "We usually find ourselves ahead of the curve," he said. "We provide solutions to our company that [other departments] are not even aware of." Even so, Speer said, the guiding principle at Talley is that technology innovation "is there to help achieve results in the organization."

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