Do IT value methodologies work?

Opinions are divided on whether value methodologies--methods of measuring the business value of IT investments using formal measurement tools--can really prove IT's worth to the business. One viewpoint is that IT value methodologies don't adequately measure, much less prove, technology's value to the business, because any direct correlation between IT spending and bottom-line results is highly elusive. IT is also comprised of a complex array of services, some of which are indistinguishable from the business capabilities that they enable, such as trading, while others are more like utilities, making it difficult to place a value on the department's functions. Another view is that it is possible for IT to drive significant value, but this value comes from places where CIOs don't generally look, such as other parts of the business. Yet a third viewpoint says that the real challenge is to step back and ask how IT is truly adding value to the business. For example, what counts as the benefits of a project and how do you ensure that those benefits are achieved?

Read more about the relative value of IT value methodologies:
- read the article at CIO