A Day in the Life of a Business Relationship Manager: Bridging the Gap
Amidst the dynamic shifts organizations are facing in the world of business today, the role of a Business Relationship Manager (BRM) is more critical than ever.
A BRM acts as the crucial bridge between IT and business functions, ensuring alignment, communication, and proactive service delivery. Let’s dive into a typical day in the life of a BRM and see how they navigate their responsibilities to drive innovation and strategic alignment.
Morning: Setting the Stage for Innovation
8:00 AM – Meeting with Program Administrator to Discuss Technology Landscape and Innovation
The day begins with a strategic meeting with the program administrator to discuss the current technology landscape and potential areas for innovation.
This session is vital for understanding the broader organizational goals and identifying opportunities where technology can drive business value. The BRM facilitates a discussion that explores emerging technologies, evaluates their potential impact, and prioritizes initiatives that align with the company’s strategic objectives.
Mid-Morning: Ensuring Strategic Alignment
10:00 AM – Project Scorecard Review with Business Partner
Next, the BRM meets with a business partner to review the project scorecard. This involves assessing the performance of ongoing projects, ensuring they are on track, and discussing any issues or roadblocks.
The BRM ensures that the projects align with business priorities and that resources are allocated efficiently. This review is crucial for maintaining transparency and accountability, fostering a collaborative environment where business and IT can work towards common goals.
Noon: Portfolio Management and Support
12:00 PM – Portfolio Review with OIS Support Team
As the day progresses, the BRM conducts a portfolio review with the Operations and Information Systems (OIS) support team. This review focuses on the health of the IT portfolio, assessing project statuses, resource utilization, and potential risks.
The BRM’s role here is to ensure that the portfolio is balanced, aligned with business priorities, and that any issues are addressed promptly. This proactive approach helps in mitigating risks and ensuring the smooth execution of IT projects.
Afternoon: Business Partner Engagement and Decision-Making
2:00 PM – Connecting Key Partners with the Community for Informed Decisions
In the afternoon, the BRM facilitates a session to connect key business partners with the broader community. This engagement is crucial for making informed decisions that consider diverse perspectives and insights.
The BRM acts as a liaison, ensuring that all partners have the necessary information and context to make strategic decisions that drive business growth and innovation.
4:00 PM – Portfolio Review with Support Team
Later in the day, the BRM conducts another portfolio review, this time with the support team. This session focuses on the operational aspects of the IT portfolio, addressing any technical issues, support requests, and ensuring that service levels are maintained.
The BRM’s involvement ensures that the support team’s efforts are aligned with business needs and that any operational challenges are swiftly resolved.
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The Impact of a BRM
Without the BRM capability, organizations often face significant challenges. Miscommunication between IT and business units can lead to misaligned priorities, reactive IT service management, and business partners struggling to navigate IT services effectively.
The presence of a BRM changes this dynamic by fostering proactive communication, aligning IT initiatives with business objectives, and ensuring that both sides work collaboratively towards shared goals.
A day in the life of a BRM is dynamic and multifaceted, characterized by strategic discussions, rigorous project reviews, and continuous business partner engagement. By bridging the gap between IT and business, the BRM plays a pivotal role in driving innovation, ensuring alignment, and delivering value.
The Business Relationship Managers ability to navigate complex landscapes and foster collaborative relationships is indispensable for an organization to not just survive, but flourish.