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So, you’ve set up a Technology Business Management (TBM) practice, expecting to transform how your organization manages IT investments and aligns them to business goals. But somewhere along the way, things just… stall. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many organizations struggle to make TBM work, and the reasons often come down to a few common mistakes.
Here are the 5 most common reasons TBM practices fail—and what you can do to turn things around.
1. No Executive Buy-In
Why It’s a Problem:
If leadership isn’t on board, TBM doesn’t stand a chance. Without executive sponsorship, it’s nearly impossible to get the attention, resources, and support needed to make TBM stick.
How to Fix It:
- Talk their language: Show leaders how TBM connects IT investments to business value—faster decisions, better cost control, smarter investments.
- Share simple, impactful dashboards that highlight ROI in areas they care about.
- Find an executive champion who will back TBM publicly and keep it on everyone’s radar.
2. Bad Data = Bad Insights
Why It’s a Problem:
TBM lives and dies on data. If your data is incomplete, messy, or outdated, the insights you share won’t be trusted—and TBM will quickly lose credibility.
How to Fix It:
- Start small: Focus on cleaning up critical data sources first, like IT costs, procurement spend, or cloud usage.
- Automate wherever possible. Tools that validate and cleanse data can save you a ton of time.
- Set clear ownership for data quality—someone (or a team) needs to be accountable.
3. It’s All About Cost-Cutting, Not Value
Why It’s a Problem:
If your TBM practice focuses solely on cutting costs, you’re missing the bigger picture. IT leaders need to show how technology drives growth, innovation, and agility, not just where to save a few bucks.
How to Fix It:
- Connect TBM outcomes to business priorities: Faster product launches, improved customer satisfaction, more efficient processes.
- Shift from “cost-cutting” to “cost optimization”—it’s not just about spending less, it’s about spending smarter.
- Bring business leaders into the conversation. Their goals should guide what you measure and improve.
4. Nobody Likes Change
Why It’s a Problem:
Let’s face it—change is hard. TBM introduces new tools, new processes, and often a new way of looking at IT. If you don’t bring people along for the ride, they’ll resist, and TBM will hit a wall.
How to Fix It:
- Communicate the “why” behind TBM. How will it make life easier, decisions smarter, or processes smoother?
- Celebrate quick wins: Solve one painful problem (like cost transparency for a specific system) and show off the results.
- Invest in training. People need to understand TBM—not just what it is, but how it helps them.
5. No Tools, No Talent, No Time
Why It’s a Problem:
A TBM practice can’t run on spreadsheets alone. Without the right tools and people, it’s tough to keep up with the data, analysis, and reporting that TBM demands.
How to Fix It:
- Invest in tools that make TBM easier: commercial TBM systems automate cost allocation, reporting, and analysis.
- Build a TBM team: You need people who get financial analysis, data management, and business strategy—and can bring it all together.
- Work cross-functionally: TBM works best when IT, Finance, and Business teams collaborate. Make sure everyone has a seat at the table.
The Bottom Line
TBM is a game-changer—when it works. The good news? Most of the challenges you’ll face are fixable. Start with small steps: focus on getting executive support, cleaning up your data, and showing clear value to the business. Over time, you’ll build trust, gain momentum, and see your TBM practice deliver the results you were hoping for.
What about you? Have you faced any of these challenges in your TBM journey? Or do you have other insights into why TBM practices fail—and how to fix them? Share your thoughts, experiences, and top reasons in the comments below. Let’s learn from each other! 🚀
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