IT is a cost center. How easily it gets sufficient money to fund ongoing services and new initiatives depends to a large degree on how well it has managed its funding in the past.

• IT must be proficient in estimating and arguing for adequate levels of funding for both ongoing and new initiatives.
• It must effectively manage the money it is given to spend, and within specified constraints, despite uncertainty in the services it will be asked to deliver.
• It must also find innovative ways to reduce the costs of ongoing services to provide funds for new initiatives or to improve the bottom line.