A design of business-technology alignment consulting framework

Abstract

Current work on applying scientific methods to capture the cultural values as requirements for business-IT alignment has been scarce, even though organisations acknowledge its significant impact. This paper introduces a Business-Technology Alignment Consulting Framework that adopts an Organisational Semiotics approach to capture cultural values from both formal norms and informal hidden social norms that can significantly impact the actual vs perceived alignment. A set of techniques in the framework are described for its use in conducting consulting analysis. Business Service Analysis is the core analysis that provides the holistic structure of the business services. Business Service Valuation calculates the service cultural values to complement the Business Service Analysis. Business Service Norms Analysis captures the business norms that govern the business service. A case study example is used to illustrate the analysis templates to holistically represent the business services. The significance of the consulting framework and future work are also discussed. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.