From Strategy To Done

This canvas is a thinking tool to help describe how technology strategy will deliver business value.

Target

The target state is a view of success for the strategy. This is elaborated in the Problem Decision Canvas.

Constraints

The aim is to be realistic about the major constraints on delivering the target and to identify actions that will address these constraints. Major constraints will include:

• Large scale remedial work needed to deliver success
• Large unbudgeted costs
• Using unproven technologies
• Supplier capability
• Internal capability
• Subject matter expert availability
• Contractual issues
• Data quality
• Organisational changes
• Internal politics
• Consultations
• External stakeholder concerns

These constraints will require senior leadership intervention and their guidance should be taken early. This will mitigate the some risk that technology actions may fail to deliver business value.

Good Enough

Before we apply the constraints, the highest priority “must have” items need to identified. These are non-negotiable e.g. regulatory or existential items. For these, the a way must be found!

Next apply the constraints and ruthlessly and rigorously eliminate anything low value items from the “good enough” scope. You can decide late to bring them back into scope if value delivery has been proved and there are resources available for “bells and whistles”.

How will value be demonstrated continually during execution? Try to avoid large investments without incremental value, aim to get value ahead of the investment. Tie supplier contracts to value delivery. Set out proof points where value can be demonstrated.

Route to Value

With the scope and our approach to demonstrating value defined, we create a roadmap. The execution roadmap should include points where it can be revised. Each decision point should be a “go / no go” decision.

• “Stop” we have enough value
• “Stop” this isn’t working
• “Stop” we need to rethink our next steps
• “Go” this is working well
• “Go” we can expand our scope and deliver greater benefits