from <CIO Insight> 10 Ways CIOs Can Communicate IT Business Value

Only about 80 percent of business executives rank IT as somewhat important or critically important for key activities, and only half of them see IT doing well in supporting their needs, according to Forrester Research. While CIOs can improve the way they support the business, Forrester also believes they need to do a better job communicating the ways they already do so.

The following tips come from a new report by Forrester, "Value-Based Communication Boosts Business' Perception of IT." The three over-arching rules are: Link IT's internal activities to business value;personally position IT's value to the organization; and add business value to IT's work with other organizations.

1. Link IT's internal Activities to Business Value

• Match IT value to business frameworks
• Represent transformation projects in competitive context
• Quantify, measure and communicate what the business needs to know
• Drive shared services with irrefutable numbers

2. Personally Position IT's Value

• Lead behavioral change by IT example
• Cultivate personal influence
• Make IT marketing regular and relevant

3. Add Business Value to IT's Work with Other Organizations

• Embed IT staff in business teams
• Enable business governance of technology investments
• Strengthen value from vendor partnerships