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IT Budget Allocation Optimizer

Allocate your IT budget across Run, Grow, and Transform categories. Compare your split against industry benchmarks and get recommendations to shift spending toward strategic priorities.

🥧Pie chart breakdown
📊Benchmark comparison
🏭7 industry benchmarks
📧Email report

About This Tool

The Run/Grow/Transform (RGT) framework is the gold standard for IT budget analysis. Run covers keeping the lights on — infrastructure, support, and licensing. Grow covers capabilities that expand the business. Transform covers innovation and strategic change.

How to use it: Enter your total IT budget, select your industry, and adjust the percentage sliders for each spending category. The allocations must sum to 100%. The tool will compare your RGT split against industry benchmarks and highlight gaps.

Budget Setup

$

Total: $5.0M

Run the Business

55% · $2.8M
20% · $1.0M
12% · $600K
8% · $400K
15% · $750K

Grow the Business

25% · $1.3M
10% · $500K
10% · $500K
5% · $250K

Transform the Business

20% · $1.0M
10% · $500K
10% · $500K
✅ Allocations sum to 100%100%

Run / Grow / Transform Split

vs. Technology Benchmark

Yours (solid) vs. industry average (striped)

Benchmark Insights

Run the Business⚠️ 55% (bench: 40%)

15pp above benchmark. Consider reallocating to Grow or Transform.

Grow the Business📉 25% (bench: 35%)

10pp below benchmark. You may be under-investing in this area.

Transform the Business📉 20% (bench: 25%)

5pp below benchmark. You may be under-investing in this area.

Get Your Budget Report

Receive a formatted report with your RGT split, benchmark comparison, and reallocation recommendations.

How to Interpret Your Results

🏃
High Run spend is a warning sign
If Run exceeds 65–70%, you are likely over-invested in keeping legacy systems alive. This leaves insufficient budget for growth and transformation initiatives that drive competitive advantage.
🌱
Grow spend drives near-term value
Grow investments (analytics, cloud, integration) typically deliver ROI within 12–24 months. Benchmark leaders allocate 25–35% here to stay competitive.
🚀
Transform spend is a strategic bet
Transform investments (AI, digital programs, innovation) have longer payback periods but define your 3–5 year competitive position. Under-investing here is a risk for long-term relevance.
📊
Benchmarks are directional, not prescriptive
Industry benchmarks reflect averages. Your optimal split depends on your strategic priorities, technical debt level, and competitive context. Use this as a conversation starter, not a mandate.