Towards a better IT Governance

Introduction

As both business and public sector organisations are becoming increasingly dependent on IT, there is growing recognition that governance of IT is an essential part of the corporate governance. Governance is about who makes the decisions? How they are made and who is accountable for what? While the need for IT governance is accepted, implementing effective IT governance continues to be a challenge.

Many C-level executives still consider IT to be too complex, technical and difficult to govern. IT governance still is perceived as a CIO issue. Alignment between IT and business strategy as well as between IT and business governance remains weak.

This article demystifies the IT governance and provides practical ideas for improvement.

Four "ares" of governance

Governance is about ensuring that the organizations resources are used the right way to create value while managing IT risks. The Val-IT framework from IT Governance institute helps address these challenges. The four “Ares’ are the core of Val-IT framework. This is a sound framework which helps organisations ensure IT efforts are aligned and IT continues to deliver value. 

1. Are we doing the right things? To quote Peter Drucker: “There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all”. This is the question about should we be doing something at all. It ensures strategic alignment between business and IT. Is what we are trying to do fit with the organisations vision and strategy? Is it consistent with the business principles?
2. Are we doing them the right way? This is the question about architecture and standards. Is what we are doing conform to the architecture and processes?
3. Are we getting it done well? This is the question about the execution. Do we have the disciplined delivery and change management processes? Do we have the right skilled re sources and are we managing them well? How does our performance measure up to others? Are we effectively managing risks?
4. Are we getting the benefits? This is a question about realising value from investments in IT /projects.  Are we clear about the benefits? Do we have metrics? Is the accountability for the benefits clearly defined?

These four questions cover the core of Governance, which are Strategic alignment, IT value delivery, IT Risk management, Performance management, and IT Resource Management. When managers at all levels address these questions, IT governance will become part of the culture.