Consequently, disalignment is a state in which the implemented IT solution doesn't suit the business. It creates issues and hampers the business actvities.

There are possible causes that may lead to a Business-IT disalignment:

• Lack of alignment of objectives
• Lack of integration of plans
• Weakly organised or formalised business environment
• Very dynamic business environment (frequent/ad hoc changes)
• Issues in needs gathering (late detection, not real needs, incomplete, unsufficiently understood, prioritisation)
• Communication issues between business and IT
• Rapidly changing business environment
  IT is dependent of business and may be slower to be adapted.
• Lack of IT resources, budgets,..
• Inappropriate foundation of the company's IT solution
• Weak organisation of the IT department
• IT commnity lacking of competencies
• Business-IT collaboration gap
• ...

Absolutely. Disalignment is an unnatural state. If everyone followed the right priorities and respected the natural principles and relations, the organisational arrangement would be efficient and effective and a much higher degree of alignment would naturally be obtained.
Reaching a complete alignment is merely an impossible dream. Nevertheless, the whole organisational context can be improved to keep the alignment gap to a minimum.

If the IT reaches the objective of suiting the business needs by supporting its activities, then only a part of the potential of IT is exploited. Indeed, IT can play a greater role in business. New products embedding IT concepts and technologies can be developed. New services based on IT technologies capabilities can be proposed to customers. IT may lead to new business models and to new ways of doing business. It may influence the internal organisation of the company, its functioning and its activities increasing its efficiency, its effectiveness and its capabilites. IT can be a source of innovation. It can increase and even generate business volume and create new business opportunities. IT can be a driving force for IT. This goes well beyond an alignment. It is about a maximal exploitation of the real capabilities and power of IT.

SERVICES:

• Identification of causes
• Improving the understanding in the whole matter
• Proposing solutions to disalignment issues
• Proposing other improvements to strengthen the IT capabilities of the company

Note:
The business-IT alignment gap shouldn't be confused with the the ability of the business and IT communities to collaborate with each other.