IT organizations continue to be measured on return on investment expectations, as well as business and service-value based metrics. Therefore, any increase in spending during the next few years specially in the areas of application and database integration, Web services and the adoption of new technology and security products will require justification through a holistic IT economic model, showing real and measurable value.

At the same time, more demanding governance processes and risk management initiatives continue to change the culture and organizational structure of most IT organizations. As a result, corporate executives must stop treating rationalization as a series of one-off, "revolutionary" cost-cutting activities. Instead, they need to approach enterprise rationalization using a process-driven, continuous change management strategy based on the effective application and improved use of resources in the longer term, and realistic value measurement targets.

Such an approach will:

» Help to build a more effective organization to enhance the delivery of the overall IT service.
» Provide a foundation for key IT activities, such as IT people management programs, communications activities, and improved project finance plans.
» Better integrate developing technologies (such as virtualization, grids and new storage fabrics) and new management tools within established technical environments.