Welcome to a special episode of the IT/OT Insider Podcast! Today is the first time we, David and Willem, are interviewing each other instead of hosting a guest. As co-authors of this blog and both working in the field of industrial digitalization, we thought it would be fun to share our own stories. In this episode, we'll delve into our backgrounds, our journeys in IT and OT, and our joint presentation at the Enterprise Technology Leadership Summit Europe last week.
This conference was organized by IT Revolution, who published many of our favorite books including The Phoenix Project, Team Topologies, Sooner Safer Happier, DevOps Handbook and others. We were introduced by Gene Kim who shared that he too had witnessed the IT-OT divide in critical infrastructure. Our presentation is available on their website, you need to create a free trial account to get access or you can listen to this podcast ;)
The Paradox of Digital Solutions
We discussed the paradox that despite the promising potential of digital solutions, their implementation often fails when subjected to the realities of diverse and incompatible systems across manufacturing sites. "Billions have been poured into digitization, yet the average shop floor whispers tales of the 1980s," we noted during our talk. This mismatch between investment and outcome highlights the difficulty in scaling digital projects beyond pilot 'lighthouse' plants.
A personal note: Thank you all for all the positive feedback we received from this amazing community. Subscribe to our blog if you haven't done this so far. We really like to make an impact on this industry, so sharing with your peers is always highly appreciated. Finally, we are always on the lookout for inspiring IT/OT stories. Feel free to reach out to us if you have something to share.
The Socio-Technical Ecosystem
Our conversation emphasized that IT/OT integration is not merely a technical challenge but a socio-technical endeavor that involves people, processes, and entrenched cultural norms. We pointed out that the disparity between IT and OT spans not only systems but also cultures, with IT's rapid innovation cycle clashing with OT's priority for reliability and gradual evolution.
New!!
Because we already have 30+ articles, we have now created 3 summary pages containing our most influential articles on Organization, Change, and Technology. Make sure to check them out!
Challenges of Top-Down Directives
We critiqued the common practice of dictating IT/OT convergence from the upper echelons of management, a top-down approach that often underestimates the intricate dynamics of integration. "Converging two organizations is not a management decision," we explained, emphasizing that these initiatives should consider the socio-technical aspects where both IT and OT bring unique strengths and cultural perspectives.
Anti-Patterns in Convergence
Highlighting the pitfalls in current convergence practices, we talked about how mismanaged efforts can lead to increased divergence instead of integration. "When done wrong, efforts to converge will quickly lead to quite the opposite: divergence," we observed. We discussed how organizational comfort zones and resistance to change can exacerbate friction and mistrust between IT and OT departments.
Our Vision for Collaboration
Looking forward, we advocate for fostering a culture of collaboration where IT and OT not only coexist but actively cooperate, leveraging each other's strengths. We propose building a bridge over the existing differences to create systems and processes that are IT-enhanced yet respect the operational imperatives of OT.
Moving Toward Effective Integration
Our discussion concludes with a call to action for organizations to rethink their approach to IT/OT integration. We emphasize the need for adaptive strategies that recognize the complexities of modern industrial environments and promote a balanced integration of technology and operational practice. By focusing on collaborative approaches and understanding each domain's unique contributions, companies can more effectively navigate the challenges of digital transformation in manufacturing.
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Behind the (podcast) scenes: David and Willem