In the context of IT services, what does effective governance help to manage?

Effective governance in IT services plays a pivotal role in overseeing and directing an organization's IT strategy and operations to ensure alignment with business objectives. Specifically, it helps manage risk management and value delivery, which are critical components of IT service management.

Risk management involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks that could impact the organization’s ability to achieve its goals. This includes monitoring various risk factors such as cybersecurity threats, compliance issues, and operational inefficiencies. By providing a structured framework for decision-making, effective governance ensures that these risks are appropriately managed, thereby safeguarding the organization's assets and reputation.

On the other hand, value delivery focuses on ensuring that the IT services provided align with the business objectives and deliver measurable benefits. This entails evaluating the performance of IT initiatives and ensuring that resources are used efficiently to maximize returns on investment. Effective governance establishes metrics and performance indicators that provide insight into how well IT is meeting these objectives.

Through the combination of strong risk management practices and an emphasis on delivering value, effective governance ensures that IT services contribute positively to overall business success, enabling organizations to respond proactively to challenges while optimizing their IT capabilities.