Jim nailed it. I've been in the shadows from the beginning of my career which prompted me to get my BA in Information Systems; however, in the short term that resulted in greater frustration in regards to tools and processes. Working for the business rather than IT, every decision is based on turn around, speed and cost. My company has a very large IT department; however, you can't get simple advice about what type of project to initiate without citing a cost center and waiting a few months just to begin the process of consulting IT on the simplest of projects...thus we shadows continue to spawn adding to the stress of IT.

But to Steve and Jim's points I believe there are two types of shadows in the organization.

The Blind Spot is similar to the accidental DBA, a novice that has been tasked by himself of the organization to create a needed "blind spot" solution with insufficient knowledge or the tools to apply IT principals by an environment that is in need of immediate help with little or no additional cost resulting in a blind spot for IT. Many of us shadows start here (me included). I agree, however, that these Blind Spots can cause significant damage if left without some type of quality monitoring in place. I've personally ran across one individual that is now banned from coding in any form for the organization because of numerous mistakes resulting in terrible audit findings. It's a pity because they had potential, but no support.

The Shadow Knight, many of which have evolved from Blind Spots, have learned many of the needed principals even if they still do not have the necessary tools and resources (I could revolutionize my business group with a single dedicated SQL Server instance, but it will never happen) while proving themselves to the organization. These individuals have become an advocate for IT constantly buzzing in the ear of management that "Yes, I can do it this way, but you should really reach out to IT and...." while watching the friends they've gathered through blood, sweat and tears within the IT organization shake their heads at their poor Shadow Knight contemplating falling on his own sword because of the deafness of their own management and the slowness of their own leviathan IT department.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to sharpening my sword...