Abstract

Alignment between Information Systems/ Technology (IS/IT) and a company´s business strategies has been widely discussed in the literature and remains a priority issue for the areas of business and technology. The issue involves questions of Information System Planning, Information Technology Governance, Investment in Technology and the important decisions taken in this context. Several studies and methodologies have been developed in recent decades to facilitate the strategic use of Information Systems and Technologies. Patents reviewed in this paper suggest inventions that attempt to support the management of IS/ IT or have methods that can be used to support different phases in this alignment process.

Keywords: Evaluating information technology, information systems, information technology, information system planning, information technology governance, information technology investment.