We’ve identified the following use cases as extended: compliance management, data governance, documentation, operations support, and resource management (see Figure 5). Some buyers look to address these use cases in addition to the core ones, but ITFM solutions may less commonly address them. IT Financial Management Software: Core Use Cases The ITFM solutions market has four core use cases: analytics and reporting, financial control, planning, and process management.

Core And Extended Functions Of IT Financial Management Offerings A table listing the core and extended functions of ITFM offerings. Core functions are analytics and reporting, data governance, financial control, planning, and process management. Extended functions are communication, compliance management, documentation, operations support, resource management, and risk management.

Forrester Wave™: IT Financial Management Software, Q2 2026 This graphic plots vendors by their overall ranking, determined by current offering and strategy scores. This graphic has an associated spreadsheet that includes all data presented. Please access the spreadsheet for details. Figure 1 Forrester Wave™: IT Financial Management Software Scorecard, Q2 2026 This table shows vendors’ criteria scores by current offering and strategy.

Sound financial management matters, but not at the expense of core capabilities that improve service quality. Continuously Review And Strengthen Risk Management Prudent leadership in volatile times demands a rigorous review and strengthening of risk management practices. Financial services firms typically prepare for potential economic downturns by strengthening capital reserves. It’s critical to adopt a continuous approach to enterprise risk and to evaluate risk trade-offs.

Human interaction remains highly valued in this segment: 80% prefer working with a financial professional rather than relying solely on digital self‑service tools. However, with only 31% willing to pay fees for human financial advice, there’s a clear opportunity for hybrid solutions. This is reinforced by the fact that 33% of Cushioned Savers who are banking customers and use their bank’s mobile app say they would value a personal money‑coach feature.

Those who believe their current personal financial situation is better than that of the average household are the most satisfied at 82%, compared with 78% among those who believe their personal financial situation will be better in 2025 than it is now, 55% who believe their current personal financial situation is worse than that of the average household, and 52% who believe their personal financial situation will be worse in 2025 than it is now.

Adapt Your IT Financial Management For Modern Realities Technology executives have traditionally relied on established financial management practices that are designed around a fixed cost base in IT. However, the current landscape — characterized by transformative business and operating models, dynamic customer and market demands, and a growing reliance on third-party services like cloud-based infrastructures — necessitates a paradigm shift.

When asked about their current financial situation, responses are notably conflicted: While 30% describe it as stable, almost as many (29%) report feeling anxious, highlighting a gap between objective financial position and subjective financial confidence. US Consumers Are Juggling Multiple Financial Challenges A chart highlighting common financial challenges for each segment (multiple responses allowed).

Investors are demanding higher premiums to hold US debt, tightening financial conditions across the economy. US Consumers Are Concerned About The Economy, Inflation, And Personal Finances A column chart shows US consumer concerns about the economy, inflation, and their personal financial situation. This graphic has an associated spreadsheet that includes all data presented. Please access the spreadsheet for details.

An Example Of The Supporting Level Of A Business-Model-Aligned Capability View This figure provides an example of the supporting-level business capability groupings for a business-model-aligned capability view: financial management, strategic management, risk management, and sourcing management. Tech execs should understand the concept of business capability views.