Chapter 5 - EIM Alignment

Abstract

This chapter covers why business alignment is important to Information Asset Management (IAM), and reviews the essentials of the enterprise information management (EIM) processes for alignment. Regardless of the technique or presentation, creating a clear vision of the role of data and content in achieving business direction is vital in getting EIM designed and adding value to an enterprise. Assets are used to further organization goals. Business usage must be defined if EIM will be based on IAM. The alignment activity within EIM should be revisited annually. The alignment exercise provides a pure business representation of what data can do for an enterprise. Data can be tied to direct business benefits—if the business achieves its objectives, what are the anticipated effects on balance sheets and income statements? Executing this technique at dozens of companies has given very pure and reliable indications of what is important to organizations. The objectives of EIM programs, both initial and ongoing, are rooted in the Alignment activity. The EIM program will be positioned to support the execution of the statements in these matrices. If the data or content cannot support the statements, then it may not be a vital content subject to management.