The only issue that are keenly debated and decided in good times as well as bad times is technology investment.

If the decision making is influenced by return on such investment it is perfectly fine and it should also be so. However, in practice, the return on investment does not receive the desired drive and focus, in both good times and bad times.

Basically any technology investment should provide enhanced business value to the organization. And an effective technology investment programme should cover the following named key success factors.

Consistence results

Measurable performance

Risk management process

Management accountability

Leadership direction & support

One of the most important measurable performance parameters is return on investment. All organizations expect decent return on their technology investment if not more. They aim to achieve enhanced business value in the form of

Market leadership

Expense reduction

Customer satisfaction

Competition management

Elimination of redundancies

Issues and risk prioritization

Effective resource management

Legal and regulatory compliance

Risk measurement and mitigation

Process, risk and control efficiencies

If the particular technology investment ensures achieving these business values, they will result in enhanced revenue for the organization in through

Doing things right first time and thereby

Delivering defect free products and services

Resulting in repeat customer delight consistently

Achieving higher business volumes year after year

in the same order.

And they will directly result in enhanced return on technology investment.

It looks so simple. Is it not?