SIBRIDGE Consulting

Alignment Services

Business Alignment is at the core of realizing full potential from information technology investments.

The CEO’s Problem: lacks a framework for capturing the Strategic Business Plan. Lacks a means to measure alignment of the plan to its execution.

The CIO’s Problem: lacks effective traceability of concepts/projects back to Business Unit’s Strategic Intent.

Business strategy and business initiatives must drive the direction and priorities for IT investments.

IT capability must enable innovative business strategies and business capabilities.

At SIBRIDGE, we see all too often business plans that do not provide clarity to the execution arm of the organization. We see:

Goals without Objectives
Objectives that aren’t measurable
Objectives without supporting Strategies
Strategies that don’t directly enable the Objectives
Programs and Projects that consume limited resources but lack direct “linkage” to the Business Plan.

Alignment Services

Assessments - determining the current state of business form and function, against a backdrop of industry process and function frameworks. Determining, from management vision and goals, the desired "to be" state.

Rationalization - performing a gap analysis, and making necessary changes to eliminate "irrational" disconnects between business planning functions and execution.

Business Architecture - creating a blueprint to map and link goals, to form, to structure of business and IT functions. The blueprint considers the critical elements of People, Processes and Technology. It answers the critical questions of Why, Where, Who, How.

Enterprise Sequencing Planning and Portfolio Management - development of a structured portfolio of programmed projects and initiatives that incrementally define and deploy the end state vision of business needs and solutions. The sequencing plan provides the roadmap to execution, the When.

SIBRIDGE helps clients ensure that business strategy and business initiatives are driving the direction and priorities for IT investments.

We focus on alignment by developing a comprehensive picture of strategic intent - a Business Architecture. We follow through with a portfolio strategy and technology services to help our customers create lasting, high-performing linkages between business and IT.

An effective approach to enterprise planning, along with a sequencing plan and effective governance, creates an environment that positions Business Plan realization for success.

Implementation of a Business Architecture driven planning process also helps address accountability requirements. Inevitable changes will occur, perhaps with great frequency, but the blueprint and roadmap provide a solid, auditable basis for decisions and direction-setting.