Evaluating business value of IT towards optimisation of the application portfolio

Sun, L., Liu, K., Jambari, D. I. and Michell, V. (2016) Evaluating business value of IT towards optimisation of the application portfolio. Enterprise Information Systems, 10 (4). pp. 378-399. ISSN 1751-7575 doi: 10.1080/17517575.2014.939106

Abstract/Summary

Information technology has become heavily embedded in business operations. As business needs change over time, IT applications are expected to continue providing required support. Whether the existing IT applications are still fit for the business purpose they were intended or new IT applications should be introduced, is a strategic decision for business, IT and business-aligned IT. In this paper, we present a method which aims to analyse business functions and IT roles, and to evaluate business-aligned IT from both social and technical perspectives. The method introduces a set of techniques that systematically supports the evaluation of the existing IT applications in relation to their technical capabilities for maximising business value. Furthermore, we discuss the evaluation process and results which are illustrated and validated through a real-life case study of a UK borough council, and followed by discussion on implications for researchers and practitioners.