Leveraging Business-IT Collaboration: Effective Design and Challenges of the IT Business Partner Role

The IT Business Partner (ITBP) role is increasingly adopted to bridge the gap between business and IT and foster strategic alignment. Even though organizations still struggle with implementing an effective collaboration between business and IT, the design of this role and the challenges it faces remain underexplored. This study is the first scientific paper to examine the ITBP. Through a case study and expert interviews, it derives eleven key tasks, with relationship management and advice at its core, and 14 required skills for effectiveness. It identifies challenges of the ITBP role, such as organizational integration, skill gaps and a lack of strategic focus. This study contributes to the field by offering a comprehensive understanding of the ITBP's design and role for business IT alignment. It provides organizations with guidance on the implementation and skill development of the ITBP role. Future research should validate findings and further explore the role's effectiveness.