Waltzing with the Elephant
Review by Basil Wood
This book resonates with me. The book is deep
with insight into ISO 38500 and the principles of enterprise/corporate
governance of IT. It is made colourful with interesting examples,
authoritative from experience and enduring in its message that business/IT
alignment must start at the highest levels, with leadership providing
direction and control over a balanced and aligned, current and future
business system.
With clear direction and accountability for results, the right behaviours
will follow. Managers will get on with the job of developing optimal
organisational structures, processes, tools and competencies that empower
staff to deliver results that are aligned with business goals.
Talk about business/IT alignment is crucial but is wasted breath if the
governance mechanisms are not in place to support it. This book provides
comprehensive guidance for practitioners on what is needed and will provide
ample material from which to draw on as we endeavour to confront the
elephant and enlighten boards of directors on the principles of business/IT
alignment and governance and what this means in practice at all levels of
the organisation.
Highly recommended.
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Basil Wood is a Business-IT Performance and Value Management Specialist,
based in Auckland, New Zealand.
