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Managers in the institution's various business lines also have IT responsibilities. Examples of these responsibilities include:
The specific roles of IT and business unit management, with respect to technology, may vary depending upon the institution's approach to risk management and policy enforcement. Institutions can approach technology management from either a centralized or a decentralized strategy.
In a centralized IT environment, IT management typically acquires, installs, and maintains technology for the entire organization. They have a much greater ability to control and monitor the organization's technology investment. A centralized approach promotes greater operational efficiencies. The business line managers retain the responsibility for enforcing internal controls within their area.
In a decentralized IT environment, IT management only has an advisory role in some departments' acquisition, installation, and maintenance of technology. The decentralized approach is most prevalent in complex institutions where it can expedite the availability of IT services by transferring decision-making authority to strategically significant departments. Business line management has a much greater responsibility for ensuring technology investments are consistent with organization-wide strategic plans. Companies need to ensure system compatibility and the enforcement of organization-wide policies in a decentralized environment. IT management should still have a role in defining the organization's control requirements, but enforcement is more difficult.