Beyond strategy – benefits identification and management of specific IT investments

Much effort has been concentrated in the eighties on IT strategy and many companies today have an IT investment portfolio. Managing the benefits of the investment portfolio presents new challenges. The author has previously published the first stage to a method for linking investment strategy to benefits and in this paper discusses the second of the process when it is necessary to identify benefits for specific investments to ensure their realization. The process ensures that sponsors not only understand the impact of the investment on key operating variables but also take responsibility for ensuring the improved performance.