How can Business Relationship Management professionals collaborate with IT to meet stakeholder needs?

2 Communicate clearly and regularly

Communication is the key to any successful collaboration, and BRM professionals need to communicate clearly and regularly with IT. This means establishing and maintaining trust, rapport, and feedback loops with IT leaders, managers, and staff. It also means using appropriate channels, language, and formats to convey stakeholder needs, priorities, and expectations, as well as to receive and share IT's progress, issues, and solutions. By communicating clearly and regularly with IT, BRM professionals can ensure alignment, transparency, and accountability.

3 Co-create value and solutions

BRM professionals should not view IT as a mere service provider, but as a strategic partner in co-creating value and solutions for stakeholders. This means involving IT in the early stages of defining and shaping stakeholder needs, as well as in the later stages of testing and implementing solutions. It also means leveraging IT's expertise, creativity, and innovation to generate ideas, options, and alternatives that address stakeholder needs. By co-creating value and solutions with IT, BRM professionals can foster mutual respect, ownership, and commitment.

4 Manage expectations and risks

BRM professionals have the responsibility of managing stakeholder expectations and risks in relation to IT's capabilities and services. This means setting and agreeing on realistic and achievable goals, scope, and timelines with both stakeholders and IT. It also means monitoring and reporting on IT's performance and delivery, as well as identifying and mitigating any potential or actual issues, gaps, or conflicts that may arise. By managing expectations and risks, BRM professionals can enhance stakeholder satisfaction and trust in IT.

5 Recognize and celebrate success

BRM professionals should not forget to recognize and celebrate the success of IT's contributions and achievements. This means acknowledging and appreciating IT's efforts, quality, and value in meeting stakeholder needs. It also means sharing and showcasing IT's success stories, best practices, and lessons learned with stakeholders and other relevant parties. By recognizing and celebrating success, BRM professionals can motivate and inspire IT to continue delivering excellence and value.

6 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?