Client's challenge
A global entertainment and media company with two different business units had a history of failed technology projects stemming from a lack of IT processes, controls and accountability. While both sides of the company saw technology as integral, neither business unit was engaged in a dialogue about how to use IT to achieve their business objectives.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory solution
Working with one business unit, we reviewed the efficiency of the company's over $1 million IT budget. The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Advisory team worked closely with business leaders to identify IT needs, prioritize IT objectives and determine the effectiveness of various IT expenditures. The team analyzed costs and benefits, identified cost-reduction opportunities and established clear business priorities. This led to the development of year-by-year operating plans with supporting IT management processes and a comprehensive three-year IT plan. Because of the structure our team provided, the company was able to assess the return on various IT investments. This structure helped business-unit leaders reach agreement on IT priorities, as well as assess future IT initiatives and objectives. Ultimately, this enabled the development of a series of action plans designed to improve the value of IT in supporting the business.
Impact on client's business
IT spending was reduced by 27%, while the IT structure focused on higher-impact projects that were more in line with both corporate and divisional executive management business goals. The project also resulted in a series of IT management processes designed to more effectively plan, organize, manage and execute IT spending going forward.
