What is the most effective way for IT to deliver value to the business?

Aligning the IT strategy with the enterprise strategy is pivotal for ensuring that IT initiatives directly support the overall goals and objectives of the organization. When IT functions in alignment with the business strategy, it facilitates a cohesive approach where technology investments and operations directly contribute to the business's success. This alignment ensures that technology is utilized to improve processes, enhance customer experiences, and drive innovation, all of which are critical for adding value.

By integrating IT strategy with the business's strategic goals, organizations can prioritize IT projects that deliver the highest impact, improving resource allocation and helping to meet business needs more effectively. This strategic alignment fosters collaboration between IT and business units, ensuring that both are working towards common outcomes, enhancing responsiveness to market changes, and ultimately driving competitive advantage.

Other options, while relevant to IT governance and performance, do not encapsulate the foundational relationship required to deliver value effectively. Accountability, return on investment, and risk management are important components of IT governance, but they are most effective when they are framed within the context of a well-aligned IT and enterprise strategy.