IT-BUSINESS ALIGNMENT "A TWO-WAY STREET," SAYS NEW RESEARCH FROM ROBERT FRANCES GROUP (RFG)

Research Note, Available Free to Qualified Requesters, Finds Non-IT Executives Often Blame and Focus on IT and Ignore Their Own Roles, at Peril to their Enterprises

While the issue of IT-business alignment receives much attention, many fail to realize that the laudable goal is a two-way street, according to continuing research from Robert Frances Group (RFG) (http://www.rfgonline.com). True, effective IT-business alignment requires cooperation and participation by both IT executives and their counterparts throughout an enterprise, but many enterprises focus the responsibility on IT, to their competitive peril, RFG found. The importance of this issue has led RFG to make its latest research on IT-business alignment free to qualified requesters, and to develop Executive Summits on the subject to be held later this year.

"The days of IT shouldering all or most of the burden to deliver and prove IT-business alignment must be over, if the goal is to be achieved and sustained," said Ron Exler, RFG's Director of Research Operations and author of the recent RFG Research Note, "IT-Business Alignment is a Two-Way Street: Business Executives Take Note." "IT-business alignment isn't just about IT departments delivering whatever the business requests -- it's about working together to build and operate a successful business, something in which all corporate decision-makers have major roles and stakes."

RFG's research, based on discussions with and feedback from numerous enterprise IT executive clients, indicates that IT leaders and staff have frequently been unfairly labeled as "technology-focused geeks" with insufficient focus on or understanding of business issues. However, a new breed of business-savvy IT executive is emerging, at the same time that regulations are increasingly requiring non-IT executives to demonstrate unprecedented levels of governance and accountability. "IT and other business executives should view the enterprise as a shared responsibility," RFG's Research Note concludes, adding that enterprise must "view technology and technologists as integrated parts of the business." The Note, like all RFG research, includes specific recommendations IT and other executives can use to achieve these goals.

The Research Note has struck a chord among RFG clients, more than 85 percent of which are enterprise IT executives and their senior corporate and line-of-business (LOB) colleagues. Several have used the Note as a starting point for continued discussion with RFG analysts, to whom those executives have direct, unlimited access as a feature of their client relationships with RFG.

"This is probably one of the most under explored, under-measured, and misunderstood aspects of applying technology to business problems," said the Manager of Business Planning, a non-IT executive at one large RFG client company. "As with most of corporate America's problems these days, instead of running from [our] responsibility, accepting it and applying ourselves to the problem...would save a lot of energy and solve more problems. I think we need a revolution in ethics, not necessarily more education on technology. Thanks for reporting this."

"I came away [from a recent IT industry conference] sick of hearing about how IT should align itself with the business," said another RFG client, a Global Director of IT. "I cannot think of one project or initiative that has been driven by anything but a business initiative! Thanks for your support."

Research Note Available Free to Qualified Requesters

The RFG Research Note "IT-Business Alignment is a Two-Way Street: Business Executives Take Note." is available free to media representatives who receive the weekly RFG IT Digest, and prospective clients receiving the weekly RFG IT Spotlight. For a limited time, RFG will also make the Note available to qualified requesters who visit the RFG Web site, or who contact Carolyn Crocker of RFG Client Services at mailto:clientservices@rfgonline.com or at (US) +954/344-0096.

RFG to Host Fall Executive Summits on "The New IT-Business Alignment"

Based on response from user and vendor clients and prospects, RFG is planning Executive Summits on "The New IT-Business Alignment," to be held this fall in the New York City area and other locations to be announced, including the World Wide Web. As at RFG's popular past Executive Summits, senior RFG analysts and leading industry experts will make informative, timely presentations and lead spirited interaction among attending executives. RFG clients will be notified as more details become available. Other enterprise IT executives interested in qualifying for free attendance, or vendors interested in sponsorship opportunities, should contact RFG headquarters mailto:info@rfgonline.com or at +203/291-6900. Information about these and other RFG Executive Summits can also be found at the RFG Web site, http://www.rfgonline.com.

About Robert Frances Group (RFG)

Robert Frances Group (RFG) is a leading source for unbiased technology research focused on the needs and concerns of enterprise users. With an emphasis on providing practical, business-oriented advice, RFG research and advice focuses on the critical issues users face deploying leading-edge technologies. These include contract review, return on investment (ROI) and total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, vendor viability, standards, strategies, organizational structures, regulatory requirements and compliance, technology infrastructure, policies and procedures, and vendor relationship management. More information is available by contacting RFG via telephone at (US) +203/291-6900, by fax at (US) +203/291-6906 or via e-mail at mailto:info@rfgonline.com.

Contact Information:
Carolyn Crocker
Robert Frances Group
http://www.rfgonline.com
(US) +954/344-0096
mailto:ccrocker@rfgonline.com