Technology Cannot Solve All Your People Problems

A few years ago, my team was implementing a custom software system for a client in the insurance industry. The software helped the client's staff manage claims, a complex process with many tasks that were extremely time-sensitive. As work was processed, it passed from department to department, which added to the challenge.

As the design evolved, the client kept asking us to add more and more reminders and prompts for the users. Features like these can be useful, but only to a point. As the list of reminders grew, we ultimately pointed out that if the software "bings and dings" all day long, staff will either eventually ignore all the reminders, or spend their whole day like thoughtless drones, waiting for the computer to prompt their next action.

As the discussion about the long list of reminders continued, one of my colleagues finally pointed out something we realized had been obvious to us, but not to the client. He politely said, "At some point, your employees have to do their job."

I've kept that situation in mind for many projects since then, including our own internal projects. This client couldn't fully automate its processes. People were required. But there was no way the technology could force employees to do their jobs. The employees needed software to be their tool, not their babysitter. If your staff needs a babysitter to make them do their work, then perhaps you need different employees (or different leadership).

The same lessons apply to compliance. IT can add many automatic systems, logging, and encryption. However, if people are involved with private information, then your organization’s technology alone will never make your systems fully compliant.

Compliance is not primarily a technology issue. No doubt, technology is important. But ignoring the people aspects of compliance is a sure way to get your business in trouble. Delegating all compliance responsibility to IT is poor and risky leadership. IT can lead much of the effort, but alone it can face difficulties training and enforcing the processes and procedures of other employees.

This "delegate compliance to IT" problem is exacerbated by some IT staff. Compliance can become a tool (or weapon) to build IT’s clout within an organization. By embracing the role of compliance czar, IT can be "in charge" of something instead of merely providing support services. "Ah, finally our importance has been realized."

I don't want to sound cynical. There are lots of people in IT and management who get compliance and operations right. They know the best compliance programs involve all aspects of the company -- customer service, operational expenses, and culture -- and the work (and responsibility) is not delegated to any single department or technology.

Glenn S. Phillips, the president of Forte' Incorporated, works with business leaders who want to leverage technology and understand risks within. He is the author of the book Nerd-to-English and you can find him on twitter at @NerdToEnglish.