Keep up with change by aligning your IT Agenda

A New IT Agenda

In it's recent research, The New IT Agenda, Booz and company advocates that IT teams focus on capabilities the business needs the most, aligned with the core of how the business creates value. 

Their recommended approach has 3 steps

1. Analyze current value that IT provides to the business
2. Better understand the business' strategic direction
3. Develop agenda to maintain strengths AND enhance new areas

Do you really know Your business?

Does your company have a clear purpose and mission? As an example, Tom's Shoes does. After visiting Argentina the founder, Blake Mycoskie, realized that availability of shoes was a real problem. For kids, having shoes affected their ability to get  to school, getting foot infections and being able to work.

Their mission is simple. One for One. To provide one item for free, for every item purchased. This started out with shoes, and is now expanding into glasses.

Has your IT got an agenda?

After understanding your core capabilities in IT, that the business relies on, develop an approach that retains he core and enhances areas that would enable the business to implement it's vision faster and better.

To keep it simple, Booz has identified 5 types of agenda

1. Value driver - simple, basic, cost effective services
2. Operator - high quality, scalable, and risk free
3. Technology leader - leading edge support for innovation and differentiation
4. Service broker - consistent integrated services at scale
5. Capability builder - strategic partner to CEO and business team

What are you playing at - Get Aligned!

Based on Tom's strategy, an aligned IT function could well be a "Value Player".

• Service standardization at lower cost and minimize risk.
• Basic enabling services for efficient business function.