IT Leaders Must Align Solutions to Support Enterprise Goals, Not Just Local Priorities: New Research From Info-Tech Research Group

In its latest research release, Info-Tech Research Group addresses the complexity of defining and measuring IT solution value within organizations. Emphasizing that value extends beyond revenue metrics, the firm highlights the importance of prioritizing opportunities based on alignment with enterprise goals.

TORONTO, April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - As IT professionals continue to face dynamic business demands in the rapidly evolving technology landscape, they routinely encounter hurdles in effectively aligning IT solutions with the strategic objectives of the organization. The absence of a structured approach to prioritizing projects often results in a disconnect between stakeholder expectations and actual value realization, according to new research from global IT research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group. To address these prevalent challenges, the firm has published new research, Assess the Value Drivers Within Your Solutions. The blueprint has been designed to help IT leaders implement a balanced value measurement framework to align product roadmaps and projects with enterprise goals.

"Value is probably the most challenging thing to define and measure in information technology. Value is complex, relative to the observer, and often indistinct," says Hans Eckman, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "The challenge is even harder when trying to compare and prioritize opportunities in different departments and service lines. Even when IT leaders can make hyper-localized prioritization decisions based on day-to-day experience, it's not always clear if these decisions best utilize an organization's resources."

In the new resource, Info-Tech explains that IT solution value is not just about revenue. IT must consider that value is relative to the consumer and prioritize opportunities by determining their impact on value drivers aligned to enterprise goals. A balanced value framework provides IT leaders with a way to compare disparate initiatives and changes across an enterprise, not by how much localized value they provide, but rather by how influential they would be in reaching the overall goals and priorities of the organization.

The blueprint further underscores the significance of a value-driven approach, emphasizing the potential to connect organizational goals and priorities with the intake process. In the resource, Info-Tech outlines a data-backed approach to help IT leaders align product roadmaps and projects with enterprise goals, a strategy highly valued by the senior leadership team. The process is outlined below:

• Define: The organization defines a common set of value drivers aligned to goals and priorities.
  
  
• Estimate: Product owners estimate value driver impact to create a balanced value score.
  
  
• Align: The balanced value score, along with other criteria, helps prioritize and make better roadmap decisions.
  
  
• Measure: The balanced value score is an important criterion used in solution backlog prioritization.

The research advises that a balanced value framework empowers IT leaders to identify opportunities where technology can yield exponential value within an organization. IT leaders are encouraged to use the value drivers to determine processes and products most affected by artificial intelligence (AI) and exponential IT.

For exclusive and timely commentary from Hans Eckman, an expert in business strategy and innovation, and access to the complete Assess the Value Drivers Within Your Solutions blueprint, please contact [email protected].

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For more than 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected]. 

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group