Our VP of Operations and our VP of Finance both claim they should own our internal IT and software infrastructure seat. This turf war is stalling our systems automation efforts. How do we objectively decide where this seat reports on our Accountability Chart?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Turf wars over shared services like IT and software systems are common when the Accountability Chart is not properly structured. To resolve this friction, you must stop looking at who wants to run the department and start looking at where the seat fits most logically to drive your business forward.

IT is no longer just about fixing computers; it is about automation and data integrity, which are critical for building an exit-ready company. If your IT systems are primarily focused on financial reporting, data security, and compliance, the seat may report to your VP of Finance. If your IT systems are heavily focused on streamlining delivery pipelines, managing workflow automation, and scaling service delivery, then the seat belongs under your VP of Operations.

The Integrator must make the final call based on the primary function of the seat. Once the decision is made, update the Accountability Chart to show exactly one reporting line. The leader who owns the seat is fully accountable for its outcomes, and any cross-departmental needs must be handled through clear communication and collaborative planning during your Level 10 Meeting™ sessions.