How does cultural strategic thinking play a part within an organization when it comes to aligning IT goals with business objectives?
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Chief Information Officer (and Branch Manager)8 months ago
In my mind, you need a culture that deliberately makes sure the connection between Business goals and Technology goals are understood. By that I mean, everyone in IT should be able to tie the activities they perform to helping support the business objectives. The way I've framed it at times is that without the Business (and the objectives they need to achieve) there is no need for IT. It sounds foundational, but, many struggle to make the connections without some guidance, and, without the connections, you are less likely to get the buy in you seek.DIRECTOR OF SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT8 months ago
IT systems are complex. Psychologically Safe teams deal with complexity the best since they give feedback without fear of retaliation. Strategic thinking about culture will allow for the best possible execution of IT Goals in my opinion. Director, Experience Design in Education8 months ago
Wow - this is a big, meaty question.I started by asking myself what cultural strategic thinking is. Culture is shared values, beliefs, norms and behaviours in an organization. Strategic thinking is about setting direction - where will you play, how will you will win.
Business objectives should be congruent with organizational values. If an organization values efficiency above all else, then having business objectives where quality is checked repeatedly will create conflict.
For IT, it's important to consider how IT goals and objectives align with organizational culture. I work in education and have watched IT departments struggle to manage information security and risk in an environment where the underlying culture is open access to information, intellectual freedom and experimentation. It is extremely difficult to gain support (and funding) for IT goals when those goals seem to be out of step with the culture.
This is where polarity management can be very helpful - in those values and objectives, you will uncover contradictions, but they are not either/or, often they are both/and. We need security to be designed to permit access and experimentation AND ensure that confidential, sensitive information is protected.
In this way, IT can demonstrate that it is in step both with culture and strategy - and add value by demonstrating how technology, policy and good governance can help manage the polarities better.
Director of IT in Consumer Goods8 months ago
If a company culture is more mature in strategic thinking or more tactical, third parties might be engaged to guide the goal setting activity. If the company culture is collaborative or competitive, that should also be taken into account when considering if the IT goals are shaped in the room with the business owners or if the IT goals are trailing and supporting the business objectives.It is important to recognize and be realistic about the speed at which an organization can move in aligning IT goals with business objectives. Pushing the organization to be focused and aggressive is needed but must be balanced with a realistic perspective on what the organization can accomplish in order to position for success.
The most effective business objectives and IT goals are understood top down by executives as well as bottom up by those who will work in their day to day jobs to relate tasks back to the overarching IT goals in support of the business objectives.
Director of IT in Consumer Goods8 months ago
i think that there is a distinction between company priorities and goals. C-Suite leaders define the priorities of the organization (or restate some years) and it is the department leaders responsibility to determine the objectives needed that will enable the business to achieve the priorities. I've seen way to many times people taking the easy road and simply writing the priorites as their goals. When you see this happen, please stop and think HOW will the priorities be achieved. In understanding how the priorities will be achieved you can realize WHAT needs to be done and that will get you going on the right path. Consider the OKR framework as a good way to get started.