How do you align IT service value streams with business outcomes?

1 Understand the business context

The first step to align IT service value streams with business outcomes is to understand the business context and strategy of your organization. This means identifying the vision, mission, goals, objectives, and challenges of your business partners and stakeholders. You can use various tools and techniques, such as stakeholder maps, value proposition canvases, SWOT analysis, and business model canvases, to gain insights into their needs, expectations, and value drivers. By understanding the business context, you can better align your IT service value streams with the desired outcomes and communicate the value of IT to the business.

2 Assess the current state

The next step is to assess the current state of your IT service value streams and how they support the business outcomes. This means evaluating the performance, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of your IT products and services, as well as the level of satisfaction and trust of your customers and stakeholders. You can use various metrics and measures, such as key performance indicators (KPIs), service level agreements (SLAs), customer feedback, and business value dashboards, to monitor and report on the results and impact of your IT service value streams. By assessing the current state, you can identify the gaps, issues, and opportunities for improvement and innovation in your IT service value streams.

3 Define the future state

The third step is to define the future state of your IT service value streams and how they will enable the business outcomes. This means envisioning the desired state of your IT products and services, as well as the relationship and collaboration between IT and business. You can use various tools and techniques, such as vision statements, roadmaps, service blueprints, and value stream maps, to articulate and visualize the future state of your IT service value streams. By defining the future state, you can set the direction, scope, and priorities for your IT service value streams and align them with the business strategy and goals.

4 Plan and execute the change

The fourth step is to plan and execute the change that will transform your IT service value streams from the current state to the future state. This means designing and implementing the changes that will deliver the value and outcomes that your customers and stakeholders expect and demand. You can use various methods and frameworks, such as agile, lean, DevOps, and ITIL, to manage the change and optimize the delivery of your IT service value streams. By planning and executing the change, you can ensure that your IT service value streams are aligned with the business requirements and expectations and deliver value faster and better.

5 Evaluate and improve the value

The fifth step is to evaluate and improve the value that your IT service value streams provide to your customers and stakeholders. This means measuring and demonstrating the value and outcomes that your IT products and services generate for the business. You can use various tools and techniques, such as value realization models, benefits management, value co-creation, and value optimization, to assess and enhance the value of your IT service value streams. By evaluating and improving the value, you can ensure that your IT service value streams are aligned with the business value and outcomes and create value for both IT and business.

6 Strengthen the relationship

The sixth and final step is to strengthen the relationship between IT and business through your IT service value streams. This means building and maintaining trust, rapport, communication, and collaboration with your customers and stakeholders. You can use various skills and competencies, such as emotional intelligence, active listening, influencing, negotiating, and partnering, to foster a positive and productive relationship with your business partners and stakeholders. By strengthening the relationship, you can ensure that your IT service value streams are aligned with the business interests and needs and enable a strategic partnership between IT and business.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?