Can we innovate with what we've got? Up to a point, the answer is yes. But we have to look past departments to do it, and look at individuals. We could draw upon an individual contributor/project person (likely an architect), a networker/project or networker/process person (likely a business analyst or relationship manager), and maybe even an individual contributor/process person (likely the hero who keeps the place together at 3:00 in the morning).

We also have to recognize some other truths. Innovation isn't a project -- it's a process. We have to network extensively with potential innovators -- multiple leaders will emerge -- to try to assess their performance and direct their efforts. We have to look at the track record of those innovators over time, since many of their innovations will go nowhere or be abandoned. Thinking like a venture capitalist -- looking for the one win in 10 -- is a good approach here.

Finally, we have to protect the innovators: They will make enemies throughout the rest of the IT organization, regardless of their successes or failures. After all, innovators just don't "fit in" with the rest of us. That's why they're so hard to find.

Bruce A. Stewart is a former CEO and onetime senior vice president and director of executive services at Meta Group Inc. He is now an executive adviser in Vancouver, British Columbia. He can be contacted at bruce@bastewart.com.