IT Manager how-to
How to Build an Annual IT Budget
A clear budget connects technology spending to business goals.
Quick answer
A clear budget connects technology spending to business goals. In short: review; gather; list, then complete the remaining steps below.
Step by step
Review last year’s spending and contracts.
Gather requests from departments.
List required renewals and replacements.
Prioritize projects by value and risk.
Separate capital and operating costs.
Present the budget with business justification.
Safety reminders for IT managers
- Maintain tested backup and disaster recovery plans
- Enforce strong security practices
- Protect sensitive data and privacy
- Manage team workload to prevent burnout
Key terms
IT strategy · ITSM · SLA · Incident management · Change management · Disaster recovery: see the full IT manager glossary.