Which responsibility is most likely assigned to an IT steering committee?

An IT steering committee’s primary role is to ensure that IT initiatives are aligned with the overall business objectives of the organization. This alignment is crucial for maximizing the value derived from IT investments and ensuring that technology supports the strategic goals of the business. The committee typically consists of stakeholders from various business units who provide insights into business needs and priorities, helping to guide technology decisions and initiatives in a way that supports the larger organizational strategy.

While advising on IT compliance risk, promoting IT governance practices, and approving IT project plans and budgets are important functions within an organization, they generally fall into broader categories of management and oversight. For example, risk compliance might be managed by a different committee or department focused explicitly on regulatory requirements, while governance practices may be an overarching responsibility that involves multiple stakeholders. Approving project plans and budgets is also a specific action that can occur after business alignment has been established but does not encompass the primary focus of the committee.

Thus, aligning IT to business objectives is the most fundamental responsibility of the IT steering committee, as it drives all other activities the committee may be involved in.