When IT efforts fail, there's a tendency to do some finger-pointing. After all, there must be something wrong with IT, right? More often than not, the problem lies with those outside the function. IT is responsible for delivering systems on time and within budget. Non-IT executives need to make the organizational changes that generate value from those systems. Try assigning a business executive to be accountable for every project. Make sure these sponsors oversee implementation and set metrics to realize the business value. Success requires a sustained commitment for the managers who will use and benefit from the initiative, not just IT.
Adapted from Harvard Business Review on Aligning Technology with Strategy.