Translating business needs into IT initiatives. IT strategic planning is the process of defining how the IT function supports and enables the overall business strategy and objectives of an enterprise1. It helps to align IT with business goals, optimize IT investments and resources, manage IT risks and opportunities, and deliver value to the stakeholders1. By implementing an IT strategic planning process, an enterprise can translate its business needs into IT initiatives that are consistent, coherent, and feasible1. These IT initiatives can include projects, programs, services, systems, architectures, policies, standards, and processes that address the current and future business requirements and challenges1. Translating business needs into IT initiatives is the primary goal of implementing an IT strategic planning process, as it ensures that IT is responsive, relevant, and effective in supporting the enterprise’s mission, vision, and values1.