Aligning IT With Business Strategy: The CIO Balancing Act

Improving business and technology synchronisation is a top IS Management priority, according to Gartner's 2002 survey of its 1,500 CIO Executive Program members¹ . According to the organisation, a successful CIO in today's economy must be able to maintain a long term view of business strategies while delivering short term business value.

The focus on delivering immediate value while cutting costs has changed technology priorities. Short term infrastructure needs are taking priority over longer term projects, which may mean new technologies are put on hold. But how can a CIO protect the future technology capabilities of the organisation while keeping current costs down?

According to the survey, communication, innovation, flexibility and leadership are some of the keys to maintaining the balance between business and technology.

Recognition of the need for these skills among current and up and coming IT executives led Pink Elephant to develop its IT Executive Management Certification program. The four-level, MBA-style program assists CIOs and senior managers in understanding strategic business elements and aligning them with IT capabilities.

Level One, IT Business Perspective: A Strategic Overview provides students with a foundation level understanding of ITIL® and the IT Business Excellence Framework, a business model focused on bringing operational objectives in parallel with those of the IT organization. Level Two, IT Business Perspective: Corporate Strategy, is a seven-day residential program taught by university professors, guest practitioners and senior Pink Elephant analysts. It uses comprehensive group and individual assignments to develop prototypical IT and business strategies.

1 The CIO Agenda 2002: Keep Your Balance', CIO Canada, June 2002

Source: PinkLink, July 5, 2002