#Budgeting plan template how to#
#Budgeting plan template download#

In the worst case, an IT budget is a wish list of funding for every conceivable project and technology that’s expected to be reduced, trimmed, and rejected. SEE: Budget planning tool (TechRepublic Premium) What is IT budgeting? When done right, budgets should merely affirm what’s already been understood and should get approved with minimal pushback. What are IT budgeting tips and best practices? A well developed and presented budget should be the numeric manifestation of your IT strategy that’s well communicated and understood by your peers.The activities your employees and consultants will be engaging in during the year are defined by the budget, so it’s a critical document for taking your priorities from concept through to execution.

Whom does IT budgeting affect? While IT budgets are usually presented and overseen by IT leaders, everyone from line managers to consultants could have a hand in preparing the budget.Beyond just “keeping the lights on,” your budget is an important tool for identifying and executing the IT initiatives that are crucial to your department. Why does IT budgeting matter? Budgeting is obviously important, as it provides the funding to keep your department running.In some companies this is primarily an annual exercise, while other companies might demand budgets for each initiative as it arises. These could range from recurring expenses like hardware leases and staffing to expenses dedicated to a fixed-duration project or initiative. What is IT budgeting? Budgeting is the process of allocating monetary resources to various IT programs.SEE: Year-round IT budgets: Tools and templates (TechRepublic Premium) Executive summary

As the saying goes, “You put your money where your mouth is,” and your budget ultimately puts company resources behind the plans you’ve been articulating through the year.

#Budgeting plan template how to#

It should make budgeting less painful and help you understand how to use your budget as a planning and communication tool.

#Budgeting plan template download#

To help IT leaders not only endure the budgeting process, but to use it as a strategic tool to drive their priorities, we’ve assembled this guide (which is also available to download as a free PDF). For an IT executive who is uncomfortable with numbers or loathe to endure the justification process that accompanies budgeting, it can be a difficult exercise, and the temptation can be to simply tweak last year’s budget, to succumb to arbitrary cuts. IT budgeting can range from a painful annual process to the actualization of a carefully crafted IT strategy and roadmap. Budgeting is a critical aspect of every IT leader's duties.