Dan's Internal Audit Corner
How Aligned is IT and the Business in Your Organization?
By Dan Swanson
Each month Dan Swanson, a senior security and internal audit professional will provide his list of recommended resources for AuditNet readers. If you have questions about this page or the links, you can reach Dan at www.securitybenchmark.com and dswanson_2005@yahoo.com.
For more IT and Information Security resources check out the latest Taylor and Francis publications.
The Holy Grail for IT has always been for IT to be closely “aligned” with the Business efforts. For years business has tried to get IT on board (focused on their business priorities) and IT has tried to get involved in business planning (aligning IT efforts with business priorities). At the end of the day, it really is an endless battle that requires the ongoing and regular involvement of all key participants.
Aligning IT efforts to the business priorities is a never ending requirement
Where does one start? – The organization’s strategic planning effort should be the first step, that is, the board and senior management needs to define their strategic direction, key business priorities and objectives and “roadmap” to get there. If we haven’t defined where we are going how will IT be able to support the implementation of the strategic direction?
What does IT need to do? – The organization’s IT planning efforts needs to be somewhat (fully?) integrated with the organization’s business plans. Since business plans change (regularly) and business priorities evolve over time the IT function needs an investment management process by which to continually refine their priorities.
Why should we care if IT and Business is aligned?
The development of a winning business strategy requires the thoughtful assessment of market forces, competitive offerings, organizational strengths and weaknesses, and customer needs. Successful execution of that strategy depends on aligning an organization’s capabilities with the key success factors that enable a competitive offering. IT capabilities are an increasingly important component of an organization’s capabilities. The vast majority of business processes enabled by computers, and there are no fall back paper processes. Process changes are impossible without technology.
The bottom line – IT investment management needs to be integrated into the organization’s ongoing strategic planning effort and ensure IT efforts are effectively and consistently contributing to the organization’s priorities.
Taking IT Alignment to the Next Level
1. Improving Mission Performance Through Strategic Information Management and Technology
3. Effectively Implementing the Government Performance and Results Act
4. IT Audit Checklist: IT Governance and Strategy
5. 20 Questions Directors Should Ask About IT
6. 20 Questions Directors Should Ask about IT Projects
7. Maximizing the Success of Chief Information Officers: Learning From Leading Organizations
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this web site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of AuditNet®
