Tech Strategy Interview Questions

Tech Exec - tech strategy interview

We’ve been discussing the development of a technology strategy. A crucial step in this process is for the tech executive to conduct a tech strategy interview with other leaders, gathering their insights to ensure everyone feels included and has contributed to the strategy.

A strategy without consensus typically falls apart.

Some of the questions that you’ll want to include in the interviews are:

General Questions

  • Can you provide a snapshot overview of your group, i.e., size, business focus areas?

  • What are your organizations priorities/ the strategic objectives?

  • Is your group a strong consumer of technology?

  • If yes, what applications do you use on a regular basis? Are there external applications that you use?

Tech Strategy Environment Questions

  • Today, do you feel that technology is supporting your business strategy?

  • If not, what do you see are the current issues?

  • What would you like to see for future technology initiatives?

  • Are there areas where you feel automation could help reduce cost or increase productivity?

  • What do you consider the highest value systems today? Which have the highest risk – client, regulatory or brand issues?

  • Do you know who to communicate with for IT issues? Who is your contact?

  • In your area, are there regulatory and legal other legal obligations that IT must be aware of? How are these obligations communicated?

  • Do you feel that there is a good level of customer satisfaction related to IT and IT systems?

IT Operations Management

  • Do you feel the IT systems that you use are stable and perform well?

  • Do you feel that the IT systems you use are high quality? What can be improved?

IT Innovation Management

  • Is there confidence within the business towards IT and the services provided?

  • Do you feel IT today provides a process and mechanism to improve or transform the business? Do you feel it could in the future?

  • Is IT today viewed as a “Business Partner”? What is the perception of the IT team?

  • Do you feel IT is supporting/ understands new and strategic business opportunities? How are business opportunities communicated to IT?

Tech Strategy Closing Questions

  • This project is critical to helping build a solid and integrated set of initiatives for supporting business growth. What areas do you feel need attention or could really add value, from your perspective?

  • Anyone else who you feel we should contact to discuss IT systems and/or strategy?

  • Do you have any additional thoughts? May we contact you again if we need to follow-up details?

The tech strategy interview is an important step in the strategy build process. Use this interview framework as a starting point. The best interview is freeform, comfortable, and covers the mentioned key areas. As an executive, asking strong questions for a deeper technology needs assessment is critical. Share findings with interviewees after completing the process. Ensuring understanding and agreement is important for strategy success.

Click here for a post on how to align your tech strategy with the business.

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