Methodology for Business Value Analysis of Innovative IT in a Business Sector. The Case of the Material Supply Chain

Identifying the business value of innovative Information Technology (IT) solutions for a business sector remains a challenge, given the diverse needs and perspectives of multiple stakeholders. This paper proposes a methodology for the analysis of the business value of IT innovations targeting a specific sector, integrating consolidated governance frameworks such as ISO 38500, COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies), Bedell's method and IIRA (Industrial Internet Reference Architecture). The methodology is structured in two main phases: Firstly, time planning determines in which phases throughout the innovation lifecycle the value analyses will be carried out. Secondly, conducting these business value analyses, following a structured approach. The guideline addresses three key dimensions: (i) the potential interest and benefits that the innovation can bring to the sector, (ii) the organizational and technical difficulties that may hinder its implementation and (iii) the alignment of the solution with strategic objectives and sector needs. To validate the approach, the methodology was applied in the DIMAT Project, aimed at developing digital tools for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the materials supply chain. The results highlight the importance of iteratively incorporating feedback from key stakeholders during development to improve solution relevance, mitigate adoption barriers, and ensure greater alignment with business expectations and industry demands.