CobiT definition:
Establish processes of bi-directional education and reciprocal involvement in strategic planning to achieve business and IT
alignment and integration. Mediate between business and IT imperatives so priorities can be mutually agreed.
Bill says,
Business-IT alignment is a tough nut to crack. It is very easy to allow yourself to fall into the trap of just being there to service whatever the business wants. It’s critical to get them involved in the planning, if for no other reason that they understand better the impact when the ask for things out of cycle.
Within IT Value Management it was said that we must ensure that each project in our portfolio has a solid business case backed by the business. This control objective is about establishing the processes that ensure that is done correctly.
What is key to remember is that while for IT the concept business-IT alignment is a hot topic that is well understand by senior managers and even line managers and staff, it is not even on the radar screen for the business units. IT is a service organization to them just like HR, for example, and unless you make a continued focus on being viewed as an asset you will never be thought of as more than a service organization.
Ensuring that the processes defined in this control objective are put in place will go a long way to helping you achieve the goal of being a strategic partner to your business.
So the second step in building the Strategic IT Plan is to establish processes that ensure the business understands the importance of alignment and that they are involved, and benefit directly from, the strategic planning process.
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