A framework is established and maintained to manage IT-enabled investment programs and that encompasses cost, benefits, prioritization within budget, a formal budgeting process and management against the budget. Stakeholders are consulted to identify and control the total costs and benefits within the context of the IT strategic and tactical plans, and initiate corrective action where needed. The process fosters partnership between IT and business stakeholders; enables the effective and efficient use of IT resources; and provides transparency and accountability into the total cost of ownership (TCO), the realization of business benefits and the ROI of IT-enabled investments.