A structured approach to strategic alignment between business and information technology objectives
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS
Abstract
Purpose: Information Technology (IT) is developing at an accelerated rate, making it virtually
impossible to separate business and IT strategies. Consequently, the IT strategy of an entity
must be integrated with its overall business strategy in order for IT to add value to an entity. It
is important that both senior management and IT specialists be involved in the design,
implementation, running and revision of IT solutions in order for IT to assist in meeting the
strategic objectives of the entity. Miscommunication between senior management and IT
specialists is however a major contributing factor to IT projects failing to deliver the desired
value. This concept is known as the ‘IT gap’. The IT gap arises because there is a divergence in
objectives between these two parties. The differences in objectives arises from the nature of
their respective work and the tools they use. Management employs business model design
tools (such as the Business Model Canvas), while IT management uses governance frameworks
(such as the Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies [COBIT]). In order
for value to be generated, there needs to be alignment between these models and more
importantly their objectives. The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive list of
key driving forces of an entity, known as business imperatives, that can be used by senior
management and IT specialists in an entity to ensure that the technology architecture of an
entity is designed with the objective of supporting these business imperatives, thereby
achieving alignment between the IT and business objectives of an entity.
Design/methodology/approach: In this conceptual study the Business Model Canvas was
studied and its elements, representing generic business objectives, were converted into
business imperatives that could be seen as essential to obtain a competitive advantage in
various industries and environments. These business imperatives were mapped to the fifth
edition of COBIT (COBIT 5) processes to identify those business imperatives that will be
achieved by the IT department when implementing COBIT 5 and can therefore be seen as
objectives for the IT department.
Findings/results: A comprehensive list of business imperatives was compiled. These business
imperatives can be used to determine the design of the IT architecture of an entity, with the
ultimate purpose of supporting the business objectives of the entity.
Practical implications: By using the comprehensive list of business imperatives identified in
this study senior management and IT specialists can work together to ensure that the
technology architecture of an entity is designed with the objective of supporting the business
imperatives in order to ultimately achieve alignment between the IT and business objectives of
an entity.
Originality/value: While previous studies primarily focussed on adapting business models to
incorporate rapidly evolving technology, this study focussed on the manner in which
technology architecture can be designed in order to support the business objectives of an entity.
Description
CITATION: Patterson, M. 2020. A structured approach to strategic alignment between business and information technology objectives. African Journal of Business Management, 51(1):a365, doi:10.4102/sajbm.v51i1.365.
The original publication is available at https://sajbm.org
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
The original publication is available at https://sajbm.org
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
Keywords
Information technology -- Management, Corporate governance, Strategic alignment, Information technology -- Planning, Business planning
Citation
Patterson, M. 2020. A structured approach to strategic alignment between business and information technology objectives. African Journal of Business Management, 51(1):a365, doi:10.4102/sajbm.v51i1.365