The Critical Role of Business Change Analysts in Ensuring Valuable Tech Investments

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, many organizations struggle to realize the full value of their technology investments. A common challenge lies in the overly procurement-focused approach to IT, where technology decisions are driven by cost and partnerships rather than strategic business value. Our founder at Finabeo has observed that seeing IT primarily as a procurement function can be a root cause of digital and data transformation failures.

The Problem with Viewing IT as Just Procurement

When IT is treated mainly as a procurement function, organizations often default to monolithic architectures and rely heavily on outsourcing core capabilities to hyperscalers or third-party providers. While this may work for simpler organizations, it becomes an anti-pattern in larger, more complex enterprises.

This procurement-dominant approach risks eroding margins by owning less of the value chain, reducing organizational agility, and ultimately impeding the ability to respond quickly to market changes and evolving customer preferences. Such limitations hamper competitive advantage, particularly in critical areas like digital, data, and AI transformations.

The Role of a Business Change Analyst

Business change analysts serve as independent voices in the IT procurement process, separate from the technology teams. Their key responsibilities include scrutinizing technology investments through a business lens—assessing value, downstream business process impact, and cultural fit.

Independence is crucial because it enables these analysts to challenge assumptions and decisions objectively, without being influenced by internal tech biases. Moreover, their gravitas within the organization helps ensure that procurement choices are evaluated for their strategic alignment and long-term benefits.

Benefits of Involving Business Change Analysts in Tech Procurement

• Alignment with Business Goals: Analysts ensure purchased technologies support broader organizational objectives, avoiding siloed or misaligned investments.

• Risk Mitigation: By evaluating impacts on downstream processes, business change analysts help prevent disruptions and inefficiencies.

• Cultural Considerations: They factor in how new technologies will fit within and influence organizational culture, which is essential for adoption and success.

• Accountability and Value Focus: Their involvement encourages transparent, value-based decision-making rather than simply cost-cutting.

Practical Steps to Integrate Business Change Analysts in Your IT Procurement Process

• Identify Skilled Analysts: Look for professionals with strong business acumen, analytical skills, and independence from IT teams.

• Empower and Enable: Give them the authority and access needed to review procurement plans and challenge decisions effectively.

• Establish Clear Governance: Define processes and communication channels that incorporate their insights into procurement approvals.

Conclusion

To unlock the true potential of digital, data, and AI investments, organizations must move beyond viewing IT solely as a procurement function. Involving independent business change analysts to scrutinize technology spend ensures decisions are aligned with business value, culture, and long-term strategy.

If your organization is ready to achieve better returns from your tech investments through disciplined, value-focused procurement governance, contact Finabeo today. We specialize in helping companies build the capabilities and oversight needed to drive successful digital transformations.