In many organizations, there is significant room for improvement in aligning business and IT. Research conducted by Ctac Group, a unique collaboration of IT companies that Purple Square is proudly part of, shows that 30% of organizations are dissatisfied with the collaboration between these two critical functions. Shockingly, almost half (49%) of IT projects fail to meet deadlines or stay within budget. These figures highlight an important challenge: how can organizations better integrate their business and IT resources to achieve success?
Ian van Deijck, Managing Director at Purple Square, recognizes these issues all too well. “At Purple Square, we see IT projects frequently get stuck due to two primary reasons: poor project management, such as insufficient handling of interdependencies, and overly ambitious project strategies. The latter often occurs when complex goals are set in high-pressure environments. Users are not always capable to navigate the large transformation programs that belong to these projects.”
The Human Factor: Involving the Right People
A recurring issue in IT project failures is the lack of alignment between technical teams and business stakeholders. IT departments often approach problems with a purely technical mindset, while the business side tends to think in broader, more abstract terms. As one of the research respondents noted, “Getting everyone on the same page starts with a shared plan.”
To overcome this difference, it’s crucial to involve the right people early on. Stakeholders from both IT and the business should collaborate in setting clear, achievable objectives to ensure that project goals are realistic and based on the organizational needs. Moreover, facilitating open communication throughout the project lifecycle helps bridge the gap between technical and business perspectives.
Realistic Goals: A necessity for Success
Ambitious project strategies can inspire, but they also carry risks. Overly complex goals in dynamic environments often overwhelm teams and hinder progress. Change management plays a vital role in ensuring that goals are both challenging and realistic. By breaking down larger transformation programs into manageable milestones, organizations can create a sense of momentum while minimizing the risk of failure.
The Path Forward
Improving the alignment between business and IT is not just about processes—it’s about people. By prioritizing clear communication, realistic goal-setting, and robust project management, organizations can unlock the full potential of their initiatives.
Trend Research Report
What do successful organizations do differently? And how do you take advantage of growth opportunities in a dynamic market? Ctac Group partnered with MarktEffect to conduct independent research among 112 respondents in management and C-level positions to dive into Business & IT alignment.
Download the research report (Dutch language) to uncover the results.