Business Knowledge

IT Governance: Applied Frameworks

Smart IT: Your Governance & Service Checklist

Make sure your IT is a business asset, not just a cost center.

1. Strategic Alignment (COBIT Thinking):

  • Are your IT investments directly supporting specific business goals?
  • Does your IT steering committee regularly review IT performance and risk?
  • Are you getting value for money from your IT budget?
  • Why: IT should be an enabler, not a silo.

2. Service Management (ITIL Thinking):

  • Do you have clear processes for handling IT incidents (e.g., helpdesk, escalation)?
  • How do you manage changes to IT systems (e.g., new software releases, server upgrades)?
  • Do you have defined Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with your business users?
  • Why: Ensures IT delivers reliable, high-quality services efficiently.

3. Risk & Security:

  • Have you identified key IT risks (e.g., data breaches, system outages)?
  • Do you have controls in place to mitigate these risks? (e.g., regular backups, disaster recovery plan).
  • Why: Protects your business from costly disruptions and data loss.

4. Continuous Improvement:

  • Are you regularly measuring IT performance against business goals?
  • Are you constantly looking for ways to improve IT processes and services?

Golden Rule: IT governance isn’t about control for control’s sake; it’s about ensuring IT helps your business win.