What is ICT Governance

http://www.igi-global.comICT Governance is the term that describes the general processing and

communication of information through technology. In the case of the current study, it includes a number of technologies, such as mobile technology; email; two-way instant messaging; chat rooms; blogs; personal web pages; online shopping rating systems; download of images, audio, and video; and video games.

StudyMode.com ICT governance provides the framework for controlling and managing the use of ICTS in the organization and when ICT is properly govern it will also identify opportunities for improved ICT use across government, make decisions visible and transparent, minimize risk, encourage the realization of benefits, and encourage compliance with policies and standards.

ICT Governance Framework

StudyMode.comThe objectives of ICT governance are to enable the alignment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) with strategic business priorities and to understand the value and impact of ICT investments to enable the transformation of service delivery to citizens.

An ICT governance framework includes:

an ICT committee of the governance body a member of the governance body appointed as ICT governance officer a member of the organizations staff management team appointed as ICT management officer a representative staff ICT committee including ICT staff

There are four distinct phases to the ICT Governance life cycle which are Plan, Invest, Implement and Operate, and three elements Risk, Assurance and Security that apply throughout the cycle.

ICT Governance Lifecycle

Such an ICT governance structure ensures that ICT aligns with the organisations mission and goals, that ICT effectiveness is regularly monitored and that its contribution to the organisation is commensurate with ICT expenditure.

Two-way communication between organisation governance, day-to-day management, service delivery staff and ICT staff is essential for ICT governance and is dependent on the structural arrangements that are put in place.

Sound ICT governance must ensure:

alignment of ICT with the organisations business strategy timely and effective ICT planning, deployment and monitoring transparent ICT reporting a risk management framework performance measurement including the level of contribution to organisational goals and the value for financial outlay. While establishing an ICT governance structure could facilitate decision-making, reporting and accountability processes, larger organizations may wish to use an established framework to implement ICT governance.