Traditionally, IT management used to be a Unit responsible for the establishment of information technologies and system architecture and infrastructure through an effective management. Its objective was to enhance the IT service quality and efficiency, to provide continuity and sustainability of the technological infrastructure. At the time, Strategic Leadership in IT was about the formation and realization of governance and organizational structure; the management of IT financials and human resources dimensions.
‘BITA-Business and Information Technologies Alignment’ is established to meet the needs and demands in a healthy and effective manner as to the information technologies of the organizations. This requires alignment in information technology, managerial and operational dimensions.
With an intelligent, agile and flexible IT management approach, information technology can both support operations in a fluid and integrated manner, and meet cost, speed and quality requirements. All this transformation takes strategic IT Management and Governance into essence.
Nowadays, almost all organizations desire the IT department to become a strategic alliance that adds value to business. We have entered a period where the essential importance of digital transformation, business and consumer experience has been perceived. Mobile technologies and lifestyle, cloud computing, social media, big data analytics, business intelligence, cyber security are not there only for productivity purposes, but as well to influence the customer experience, gain competitive advantage, create new business models, new products and services. The importance of knowledge has substantially increased. We are in an era where people understand that creating something meaningful out of knowledge in a short period and turning it into a commercial benefit to win, is key for success. As this is the case today, organizations now accept that there is a need for alignment between IT (Information Technology) needs and business objectives. Business-IT Alignment (BITA) includes the optimization of communication between the executives responsible for business decision-making and IT managers responsible for information technology operations.
An IT that has become a strategic alliance for a company forms an information management that ensures to be used effectively and integrated within the organization. It ensures effective and innovative use of information technologies. It provides the necessary IT infrastructure, services and solutions that will add value to the customer.
Effective cost management is critical for business-IT alignment as well as the engagement of flexible business plans and IT architecture. Information technology managers may develop tailor-made solutions to business needs that can ensure the optimum RoI (return on investment). Similarly, business managers exert necessary efforts to improve their understanding of technology and the organization’s constraints.
Strategic IT management requires much broader responsibilities and competencies than the technological infrastructure management of the business.
Issues such as demand management, IT performance management, relationship management, transformation management, follow-up of technological trends and putting them on the agenda/application will add value to the business, and are important competence areas for IT management, which has now become a strategic alliance. The more critical the role of information and technology in the sustainability formula is, the more critical the role of strategic IT management in the destiny of the organization has become. Digital transformation will be realized in a healthier way due to the IT that can balance the cost, innovation, risk and governance.
June 2019