Avoiding Pitfalls and Preventing Shadow IT
As engineering teams embrace autonomy, the risk of shadow IT—unauthorized technology solutions that bypass official channels—can grow. This article explores how to balance autonomy with visibility, governance, and trust.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What is Shadow IT and Why It Happens
- The Risks of Shadow IT
- Strategies for Preventing Shadow IT
- Real-World Tools and Practices
- Fostering Transparency and Trust
- Best Practices for Balancing Autonomy and Oversight
- Conclusion
- Reflection Prompt
1. Introduction
Autonomous teams often innovate faster, but this freedom can lead to hidden or unauthorized solutions, known as shadow IT. According to Gartner, shadow IT can represent 30% to 40% of IT spending in large enterprises (Gartner Report).