Gartner Research just published a series of reports called Cost Cutting in IT, which provides several tips for management staff to best approach IT cost savings. In light of a possible recession not just in the U.S. but also in the U.K. and Japan, the report urges that cost-cutting be a proactive and not reactive measure—something that should happen before any economic decline severely affects operations.

An effective cost-cutting team should be able to negotiate for and more effectively procure IT services and equipment, so Gartner recommends these steps:

• Don't wait for the cost-cutting mandate from the board, take action proactively
• Choose the best and brightest for your IT team, remove them from day-to-day duties during the measure
• Don't allow finger-pointing, keep past events in the past
• Enlist an internal auditor, not IT staff, to make sure any identified savings actually leave the budget (and aren't just cycled back in new projects)
• Report results weekly, keep management updated
• Identify a liaison from the legal department so you have a contact in case of negotiated contract issues