We’ve been talking about technology strategy. Every tech exec running an IT shop needs to have one. And every technology exec needs to understand what it takes to build and manage one. In this post we’ll cover steps three and four of our strategy build process.
3. Develop IT Mandate: Vision, Mission, and Objectives
We have established our IT vision, mission, and objectives. Now, let’s align and enhance our vision with the business and other IT leaders’ strategies, if applicable. In this step, we will review the strategies of the organizations we support and align our direction accordingly. This enables us to refine our high-level technology goals and objectives. Our aim is to solidify the IT mandate, reflecting our purpose and governing our activities. Involving key leaders in this vision review is crucial for gaining consensus. Agreement at each step is vital for a successful tech strategy.
4. Define Critical Success Factors (rules of engagement)
How do we measure the success of our technology strategy? We define critical success factors that translate into high-level requirements for top management, such as budget. Specific details of success factors will be determined in subsequent steps like governance and implementation roadmap. This step establishes the initial baseline for successful planning. Typically, three to five CSFs are defined to set the stage.
To emphasize, again, if you don’t have a plan (or strategy) you are going to have a very difficult time managing business expectations. The Technology Strategy is a key document for any technology executive and should be the cornerstone for how you manage your organization.