Although “align IT to the business” is one of my most un-favorite buzz phrases, it never the less is critical for IT organizations to do. I’ve been a part of more and more discussions with organizations who are focused on driving business goals rather than technology ones. As IT organizations focus on agility and cost I often think about the reasons why some organizations are slow or outright unwilling to move towards business alignment. Here are five hopefully humorous excuses for not aligning to the business. After all it’s now early January  and digging deep into a heavy IT blog is not on the top of your resolutions. So enjoy what I hope is some minor comic relief during the beginning of the year craziness.

In David Letterman-esque style.

1. Priorities- it’s up next after our Windows 7 migration and our Exchange 2010 upgrade.
2. Our executives have iPads now. Doesn’t that mean we are aligned?
3. I’m waiting for the cloud to do it
4. ITIL doesn’t have a book titled “Align IT to the business”. But when it does I’ll be sure to send my team to a certification class.
5. My successor will do it

The #1 response is what all CIO’s should be thinking. If they do not provide financial transparency and proof that they are helping drive the business, then the organization will find someone who will.

Happy New Year!