Evangelizing TBM: Moving the Conversation Beyond IT
Please note: This conversation was based on peer-to-peer engagement and shared experiences, not formal research. The insights shared reflect personal perspectives from within the community.
Our recent TBM Coffee Chat focused on the art of Evangelizing TBM. In this session, we held an open discussion on successful (and sometimes unsuccessful) strategies to drive TBM adoption beyond the boundaries of the IT department. The conversation centered on a critical realization: TBM is most powerful when it secures active buy-in from the Office of the CFO (OCFO) and business leadership. Attendees from various organizations shared how TBM acts as a "Google Translator," turning technical spend into a financial language that resonates with stakeholders outside of IT.
Hosted by Amy Krueger and Trae Baker, this chat explored how we can move beyond just "managing numbers" to becoming strategic partners who use storytelling and influence to shape the future of work.
Key Insights from the Discussion:
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Transparency Over Perfection: Don't wait for "perfect" data to start the conversation; showing imperfect data often acts as a catalyst for the business to help clean it up.
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The Power of the Bill: Implementing a "Bill of IT" or chargeback model is often the single most effective way to make TBM "real" for business consumers.
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Cultural Safety: Successful adoption requires a "psychologically safe space" where teams can be vulnerable about data gaps without fear of being shamed.
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Executive Alignment: Evangelizing beyond IT is significantly easier when executive sponsors set a tone of shared accountability between technology and business units.
A Deeper Look into the Conversation
The conversation kicked off with a focus on how TBM practitioners can bridge the gap between technical spend and business value. A major theme was the "Bill of IT". Multiple practitioners noted that while providing insight to IT owners is valuable, the initiative truly gains momentum when business units receive a bill. This shift moves the dialogue from a "technical cost" to a "consumed service," naturally leading business leaders to ask, "Tell me more".
However, moving beyond IT often reveals "the warts" in the data. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the courage required to present incomplete or inaccurate data. One participant shared a successful strategy of intentionally going to leadership and stating that they would be showing "bad" data to encourage a cooperative culture of cleanup rather than a culture of shaming. By creating this "safe space," the burden of data accuracy shifts from a solo IT task to a joint business responsibility.
The group also tackled the intersection of TBM and FinOps. While some view them as competing frameworks, the consensus was that they are highly complementary. Practitioners shared stories of leveraging mature FinOps practices to inform TBM models with more granular cloud data, effectively using cloud transparency to drive better data collection in the on-premise data center space.
Ultimately, success was defined not just by the accuracy of the model, but by the shift in conversation. Success looks like a business unit CFO explaining TBM value to the company president, or seeing the "unclassified" spend percentage drop steadily over time as the organization gains a clearer picture of its technological footprint.
Keep the Conversation Going!
TBM Virtual "Coffee Chats" are your chance to uncover the secrets to a successful TBM journey. Whether you are navigating the "heavy lifting and headaches" of the first 18 months or you are a tenured practitioner, these casual meet-ups are a relaxed way to swap ideas and connect. We invite you to join the TBM Adoption Strategy Community to participate in open forums, attend upcoming chats, and contribute to the assets that help our entire community thrive.
Next Steps: Engage and Learn More!
To continue your journey with Technology Business Management, we invite you to explore our website, log into TBM Connect here, dive deeper into the TBM framework, learn the fundamentals of TBM modeling, and review our latest research here—including the State of TBM report and our ongoing study of TBM salaries. You can also explore our network of partners for additional resources and expertise, and subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about the latest insights, events, and tools in the world of TBM.
Ready to connect, learn, and grow? Join one of our TBM Strategy Communities on TBM Connect to participate in open forums, attend upcoming Coffee Chats, and contribute to our growing body of shared knowledge!
What is a TBM Council Coffee Chat?
TBM Council Coffee Chats are informal, peer-to-peer engagements that create a relaxed space for community members to share real-world insights, ask questions, and learn from one another. It's all about connecting and growing together. These are not webinars or open forums; there are no slides or demos, just real conversations led by community members. The chats occur every 4 to 6 weeks for about 30 to 45 minutes. They are hosted by fellow TBM community members who are passionate about sharing their experiences and lessons learned. The content focuses on honest, practical conversation about the ‘how-tos’ of implementing and evolving TBM in organizations. Attendees are encouraged to participate by asking questions and sharing thoughts in the chat, making it a comfortable space for sharing. It’s the community that makes these chats valuable.
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