Whenever we look at future trends or IT spending plans, we always do so with this caveat: "But if the economy begins to head south ..." And while like you I'm hoping for the best, companies have to prepare for the worst.

I'm turning this blog entry into an online forum. Are you planning for a possible economic downturn? If so, where will you be making cuts? How do we reduce costs without resorting to taking jobs away from our IT employees? Will the same strategies used in the last recession work today? What are the most effective ways to save money?

Let us, and the rest of the IT profession, know what you think.