Converging on business-it alignment best practices: Lessons learned from a dutch cross-governmental partnership

An empirical study that explores business-IT alignment processes in a Dutch cross-governmental partnership is summarized in this paper. The aim of the study was to identify processes that contribute to improve such alignment. This study represents a continuation of previous validation efforts that helped us to confirm the business-IT alignment process areas that should ultimately be included in the ICoNOs MM - a maturity model to assess operational business-IT alignment in networked organizations. Evidence was sought for the alignment of business and IT through the use of information systems to support the requirements of the organization in a specific project. The results of this study in the public sector also are relevant to the private sector where (i) business-IT alignment plays an increasingly valuable role, and (ii) the characteristics of collaborative networked organizations are present.