IT Alignment
Bridging Business and IT Strategy
Business strategies and IT strategies are interdependent. IT strategies must follow business strategies (e.g., business processes must be supported by IT). From the other direction, IT investments enable and extend business strategies (e.g., new business models through digital technologies). Both directions must be adequately considered in IT strategic planning.
IT alignment is a capability of IT strategic planning and designates the degree to which the IT investments of an enterprise directly enable and support the business strategy. The objective is to achieve and maintain consistency between business and IT strategies. IT alignment leverages value from IT investments and increases enterprise performance and competitive advantage as a result.
Strategic planning outputs from both business and IT strategies must match the business and the IT architecture. IT alignment is the extent to which a firm’s IT goals are in line with the long-term business goals to increase IT value.
Pictures (Glacier 3000; Costa Rica, New York) by C. Gellweiler
