A point of view on how IT organizations need to evolve the Business-IT dynamic in order to become more strategic.

1. October 2013
A More Strategic Business-IT Relationship
Organizational Maturity Model
Steven Breeden

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Business-IT Organizational Maturity
Strategic
Tactical
Low HighBusiness-IT Organizational Maturity
Value
High-Performers
High Performers in industry
leverage IT as a competitive
advantage and a strategic asset.

3. 3
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Key Questions
• Is IT engaged with corporate strategy and investment planning?
• Does the IT propose new products, services and processes?
• Is there a clear linkage of IT strategy to the business strategy?
CXOs and Business Executives:
If the answer to any of the questions below is ‘No’, then you are not
getting the most out of your IT organization.

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Maturity-Level Characteristics
Proactive
Strategic
Business-Focused
Consultative & Innovative
Reactive
Service-Oriented
Connected to Business
Some Innovation
Reactive
Infrastructure Focused
Disconnected from Business
Little Innovation

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Attributes of Strategic Partnership
• Focus on business outcomes and results.
Business Focused
• Formulate integrated strategies collaboratively amongst stakeholders.
Collaborative Dynamic
• Proactively engage in discussions to advance business objectives.
Proactive Relationship
• Cultivate an environment based on transparency and trust will follow.
Transparency & Trust
• Serve as a change agent to help the business evolve.
Embrace Change
• Understand market landscape and competitors.
Market & Competitive Awareness

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How to Get There?
What are the tactics to get to this
strategic partner state of maturity?
Learn & Prepare
Identify where you are on the maturity scale.
Learn the language of your business.
Learn the key metrics driving your business.
Understand the business strategy.
Engage & Collaborate
Discuss how IT can fuel business growth.
Solve a problem for a quick win.
Measure & report performance in business terms.
Promote continuous dialogue and innovation.
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Potential Paths
Successful Unsuccessful
• Cohesive Business-IT Strategy
• Integrated Planning
• Business Efficiency
• Scalable Business
• Business Inefficiency
• Wasted Investment
• Non-Agile Business
• IT only “Electricity & Plumbing”

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Connect
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenbreeden
http://www.slideshare.net/smbreeden
@Steven_Breeden