Obama utilized technology to help him win both elections. In the 2008 election, he leveraged "social media". In the 2012 election he used "big data".
The 2012 election was also the most expensive ever run. It was estimated that $6 billion was spent nationwide, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit group that tracks campaign finances. (Here is some more information.)
Like anything, when "data" is used properly it can help any organization, and if not properly utilized it won't I think these articles below help demonstrate the importance of a "well organized" I.T. group.
I think it all comes down to good upfront planning/gathering requirements, systems design, implementation/deployment, and hard work (I am over simplifying the whole process, but it covers the basics). If you're in I.T. other considerations are maintenance/monitoring, disaster recovery (we need to remember that "stuff happens" like Sandy, Katrina, earthquakes, etc.), end of life (e.g. project completion).
How Obama did it: On Nov. 17, 2012, on the Business Insider website, they published the following article: "40 Engineers Worked 14-Hour Days, 7 Days A Week To Get Obama Reelected—Here Is Their Story". Below is a excerpt form the article: "The Obama campaign's technologists were tense and tired. It was game day and everything was going wrong." (Read the rest of the article)
How Romney did it: On Nov 18 2012, on the Ars Technica web site, they published the following article: "Romney campaign got its IT from Best Buy, Staples, and friends". Below is a excerpt form the article: "Imagine you're launching a company and only have six months to deliver a product. You face a competitor that has been in your industry four years longer than you with twice your staff and twice the budget. If you don't make your deadline, you're out of business." (Read the rest of the article)
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