IT Budget Constraints and Strategic Shift

Technology and business priorities shift as CIOs focus on IT transformation to strategic business partner. ...

... "CIOs see 2010 as an opportunity to accelerate IT’s transition from a support function to strategic contributor focused on innovation and competitive advantage ... " ...

Via Info Management: IT Strategic Role

Renewed Commitment to Project Requirements

US CIO and OMB look to focus on the front-end of projects to improve the development of business requirements and position the project portfolio for greater predictability in cost performance. ...

... "He said the OMB was looking for ways to overhaul IT project management in government, starting by creating better project requirements in order to foster cost control before the projects even begin. " ...

Via Information Week: IT Project Management

Outcome-Based Budgeting; The Right Focus

I recently read that the office of Philadelphia's new mayor, Michael Nutter, is initiating an outcome-based budgeting process. Other cities have had success with this approach as well.

Rather than each department planning their budget in isolation (as many companies do), the budget process will be focused on the outcomes that the money is meant to support, regardless of department.

Not only does an outcome-based focus make sense for budgeting, it makes sense for project measurement, portfolio management, and even Web sites. Much like budgets, all too many web sites are structured around organizational or departmental silos, as opposed to the outcomes that are supposed to be produced.