A: Strategic alignment is an often discussed but frequently misunderstood term. Alignment has been defined in many ways in recent years in the popular press, yet in the information technology realm, it is most commonly defined as the implementation of information technology (IT) in the integration and development of business strategies and corporate goals.
Q: Where can I find out more about Strategic Alignment?
A: There are numerous books, articles, and papers written on Strategic Alignment. Some of the original work is from the late 70’s and early 80’s and is largely theoretical. More recent publications (last decade) have focused on practical application of strategic alignment. The text shown at left includes works from leading-edge research on information technology and how it applies to strategic alignment. Click on the cover to order the book.
Q: What is the “Strategic Alignment Model”?
A: The “Strategic Alignment Model” was originally developed by J. Henderson and N. Venkatraman of Boston University. It has been tested and operationalized by several researchers. Those interested in evaluating the extend of their firm’s alignment should evaluate their own firm’s business and information technology usage. See the next question for details.
Q: Is my company aligned? How can I assess my company's level of alignment?
A: An abridged assessment of alignment is available to quickly assess your company's degree of alignment and its alignment perspective. NOTE: This model should not be used to formulate or carry out corporate strategy without a detailed assessment. This is for information purposes only.
Q: What resources on Strategic Alignment are there?
A: In addition to my book (shown at left), there are several other excellent sources of information on Strategic Alignment. [Click here for a detailed bibliography]