The document outlines five techniques for IT managers to defend their budgets and demonstrate value to CFOs: 1) Tell the financial story of IT's past successes, current position, and future plans; 2) Use external metrics to benchmark costs and communicate a culture of optimization; 3) Perform cash analyses to show attentiveness to business priorities; 4) Communicate value generated by past investments through success stories; 5) Define future possibilities to leave CFOs wanting to fund more projects that could drive additional value.