Cranfield School of Management

Operations, Programme Management and Information Systems
Building Sustainable Relationships for IT Management

Effective IT Relationship Management has been proven to significantly increase the performance of IT. Specifically, it contributes to greater alignment of IT and the business, increased innovation for IT, enhanced levels of stakeholder satisfaction and creating a voice for IT on the strategic agenda.

IT Relationship Management is more than a mere customer satisfaction role.  Today's IT Relationship Manager requires an enhanced skill set in order to understand the needs of a wide range of stakeholders, identify future business opportunities and resolve issues with 'win-win' solutions.

Our Building Sustainable Relationships for IT Management programme has been designed specifically for individuals working in this challenging role, whether you are titled a CIO, IT Manager or IT Relationship Manager.

'Building Sustainable Relationships for IT Management was a stunning experience. This was probably the most life-changing week I've ever had: I hope I can build on it!'

Tony Piper, IT Director, Pinnacle Insurance Plc

• The skills to build and sustain successful relationships across your organisation
• The ability to influence others and obtain the commitment needed
• The tools to identify and understand the needs of your key stakeholders
• The ability to deal with the inevitable politics, conflicts and tensions. 

Your organisation will gain:

• Greater alignment and synergy between the business and IT
• An enhanced profile and credibility for the IT function
• More productive relationships across the organisation.

What makes this IT Relationship Management programme so special?

Building Sustainable Relationships for IT Management has been designed specifically for IT professionals who are involved in juggling IT activities across the organisation.  The programme includes:

• Knowledge from faculty specialising in IT, marketing, key account management and personal development
• Tools and techniques for integrating and applying this knowledge to the IT environment
• Practitioner experience, sharing the realities of IT Relationship Management in practice
• Practical case studies applying the knowledge
• Personal action planning to turn the newly acquired knowledge into actionable plans for immediate effect.

What is the programme about?

The programme includes issues addressing: 

Developing Personal Relationships

• Why is relationship management critical to IT?
• The evolving nature of the role
• Building trust with stakeholders
• Understanding the motivations and drivers of yourself and others
• Influencing others through communication specifically tuned to the language of the receiver.

Enhancing the Reputation of the IT Group

• Overcoming the stereotype of the IT Group
• Marketing the IT Group
• The emerging role of the IT Group in particular its 'unique' value to the organisation
• Creating and communicating the desired image of the IT Group
• Practitioner experiences of turning the knowledge into action.

Turning Theory into Practice

• Making IT Relationship Management work: Case Study
• Building rapport to sustain long term relationships
• Personal action plan to apply the learning to your own organisation.

Who is the programme for?

This programme is intended for business/IT relationship managers, CIOs, or those responsible for interfacing with the different areas of the business.