Your IT Roadmap Should Be a Product Roadmap

In the fast-paced world of technology, where change is the only constant, the traditional approach to IT strategy is no longer sufficient. We’ve all seen it: an organisation spends countless hours and resources developing an IT roadmap, only to find that by the time they reach their target state in three to five years, the landscape has shifted so dramatically that the carefully planned destination is already outdated. So, how do you create an IT roadmap that remains relevant and valuable, even as the ground beneath your feet continues to shift? The answer lies in rethinking how we approach IT strategy.

A Shift in Perspective: Thinking of Your Future State as a Product

One of the most critical components of any IT strategy is the IT roadmap—a prioritised plan that outlines the steps your organisation will take to move from its current state to a desired future state. Traditionally, this has been viewed as a linear process: you assess where you are, determine where you want to be, and then map out the steps to get there. However, this approach assumes a relatively stable environment, where the future state you’re aiming for remains relevant throughout the journey.

In today’s world, that assumption no longer holds. Technology evolves at an unprecedented rate, and the future state you envision today may very well be obsolete by the time you arrive. To address this challenge, I recommend shifting your perspective and thinking about your target state not as a static endpoint but as a dynamic product.

What Does It Mean to Treat Your Future State as a Product?

When we think of something as a product, we inherently think about its features, benefits, and the value it delivers to users. A product isn’t static; it evolves over time, with new features added, existing ones refined, and outdated ones retired. By treating your future state IT architecture and operating model as a product, you apply the same mindset to your IT roadmap. This approach allows for flexibility and adaptability, ensuring that your strategy remains relevant as technology and business needs evolve.

Let’s break this down further. A product has:

Features
These are the specific capabilities or functionalities that the product offers. In the context of an IT roadmap, features might include specific technologies, systems, or processes that will be implemented as part of your future state architecture.
Benefits
These are the outcomes or advantages that the features deliver. For example, one feature of your future state technology architecture might be a single source of truth, which provides the benefit of a unified customer view across the organisation.
Value Proposition
This is the overall value that the product offers to its users. For your IT roadmap, the value proposition could be the enhanced agility, efficiency, or competitiveness that your organisation gains as a result of the implemented features and their corresponding benefits.

By thinking in these terms, you can ensure that every aspect of your IT roadmap is aligned with the overall value it will deliver to the business. This mindset also encourages continuous evaluation and iteration, allowing you to adapt your roadmap as new technologies emerge or business needs change.

Building Your IT Roadmap as a Product Roadmap

To build your IT roadmap with this product-centric approach, start by defining the key features of your future state architecture. These should be directly tied to the strategic goals of your organisation and should reflect the capabilities you need to achieve those goals. Next, clearly articulate the benefits that each feature will deliver, ensuring that there is a strong alignment between the features and the value they provide.

Once you have identified the features and benefits, prioritise them based on their importance to the business and their impact on the overall value proposition. This prioritisation will form the backbone of your IT roadmap, guiding the order in which features are implemented and ensuring that you’re delivering maximum value at each stage of the journey.

The Importance of Continuous Iteration

One of the key advantages of treating your IT roadmap as a product roadmap is the emphasis on continuous iteration. Just as a product evolves over time, so too should your IT roadmap. Regularly revisit your roadmap to assess whether the features and benefits you’ve identified are still relevant and whether new technologies or business needs warrant adjustments.

This iterative approach not only keeps your IT strategy aligned with the changing landscape but also fosters a culture of agility and responsiveness within your organisation. By continually refining your roadmap, you ensure that your IT strategy remains a driving force for business success, rather than a static plan that quickly becomes outdated.

Conclusion

In a world where technology is constantly evolving, the traditional approach to IT strategy and roadmapping is no longer sufficient. By treating your future state as a product, complete with features, benefits, and a clear value proposition, you can create an IT roadmap that remains relevant, adaptable, and aligned with your organisation’s strategic goals. This product-centric approach not only helps you navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing landscape but also ensures that your IT strategy continues to deliver real, tangible outcomes that drive business success.

Contact evince Consulting today to learn how we can help you.

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