IT Governance solutions enable CXOs to align their business strategy with their IT strategy. However,in order for these solutions to realize their maximum impact, they require business stakeholders to be engaged in the transformation process. A top-down approach allows companies to assess the value and risk of each project, application, and ultimately reallocate resources where needed to mission-critical business initiatives.

This coordinated, cohesive approach also encourages business sponsors and stakeholders to contribute to the process and evaluation, and ultimately share in the success of these new processes. On the flip side, those organization that view IT Governance as a bottom-up inventory exercise, will greatly limit the impact of these solutions and will likely fail to see the business value from the increased visibility and measurability of their IT investments.