Do you know where your IT budget is going?
If you are asking the awkward question, the answer is probably yes. If you are asking any question this awkward, you have hit a C-suite curveball.
It is easy to see IT as a single line on a balance sheet, a cost centre that keeps the lights on.
Yet behind that line lies a complex web of licences, contracts, services and systems all competing for budget.
Over time, small decisions accumulate. A quick software subscription here, a temporary fix there, a renewal that no one quite remembers agreeing to.
The result is that much of your IT spend becomes invisible, spread across departments, projects and support agreements that no longer align with your business goals.
This waste is not caused by carelessness but by a lack of visibility. Businesses invest in IT to move faster and work smarter, but without clear oversight, spending often follows habit rather than strategy.
The hidden costs of unseen spend
Untracked or poorly aligned IT budgets can quietly drain performance.
You may be paying twice for overlapping tools, maintaining systems that no longer serve their purpose or funding support for outdated infrastructure.
Even small inefficiencies can build up, reducing ROI and making it harder to fund innovation.
Taking back control
The good news is that clarity is within reach. By linking IT spend directly to business outcomes, leaders can turn what feels like a black box into a strategic asset.
Start by auditing where your IT budget goes, not only in financial terms but in terms of value.
Which investments improve efficiency? Which support compliance? Which create competitive advantage?
Once you have the full picture, patterns become clear. Redundant spend can be redirected and your investments can be guided by clear purpose.
– Darren Knowles, Head of Development, Rio IT