IT professionals should take time in 2003 to understand business priorities and enhance their perceived value. Eight guidelines will help them build a foundation. Managers have responsibilities, too.

Buyers of IT and IT services will need to tread carefully in 2003 as they confront resource constraints and a risky vendor landscape.

Changes in business technology in the coming year will be evolutionary, not revolutionary. We focus on five topics and the opportunities they offer that we believe are of utmost importance to business leaders in the coming year.

Most IT vendors will continue to have flat or declining revenue streams in 2003. Investors should focus on technologies that lower costs.

IT sellers will continue to grapple, in 2003, with the changing nature of buyer demands as enterprises scrutinize the value-add of each investment.

In 2003, CIOs and other IS leaders must prepare for business renewal and growth while continuing to cut costs and inefficiencies.