Don’t Drift… Navigate

Just because something is simple doesn’t mean it’s not important. That’s especially true when it comes to having an IT roadmap or a strategic technology plan. Knowing where you’re going—and how you’re going to get there—is critical for several reasons.

1. Direction and Team Alignment

A clear roadmap gives your team a unified goal and direction. Without it, people end up working on what they think is important or what they prefer to do, rather than what the organization needs them to do. A roadmap helps align everyone’s time, energy, and priorities toward a common vision. Without that alignment, teams drift. With it, you move with purpose and avoid wasting valuable time and resources.

2. Business Alignment and Executive Buy-In

Strategic IT plans are also essential for aligning with the broader business. CIOs and CTOs often work closely with CFOs, CEOs, and other executives to gain support for technology initiatives. Whether it’s about modernizing infrastructure, adopting automation, or leveraging AI, these conversations often center around ROI and long-term impact. A clear roadmap becomes a powerful communication tool—it shows the “why,” the “how,” and the “when” behind the investment.

From my experience working with several organizations, I can confidently say that every company can benefit from improved technology, automation, and best practices.  However, having the potential to improve isn’t enough.  You need stakeholder support and, more importantly, the ability to execute well to deliver on the promised value. A roadmap helps with both.

3. Accountability and Focus

In today’s fast-paced, distraction-heavy world, it’s easy for IT teams to get caught up reacting to daily fires. A strategic plan flips that script. Instead of reacting to the week, you’re acting with intent. You’re driving forward.

A roadmap acts as a reference point in MBRs, QBRs, and leadership reviews. It keeps everyone grounded, focused, and accountable. It becomes the standard against which progress is measured—and progress is what ultimately matters.

A Final Analogy

A teammate once shared a great analogy: not having an IT roadmap is like trying to drive a speedboat through thick fog. You either go painfully slow or you risk disaster—crashing into something unexpected or veering off course entirely. You may not feel the impact immediately, but eventually, it catches up.

So yes, having a roadmap might seem simple, but it’s a fundamental piece of successful IT leadership.

If you’re an IT leader—whether a CIO, CTO, or director—and you don’t yet have a clear strategic plan or IT roadmap that you can confidently share with your team and executive peers, now is the time.

This is your call to action:

Build the roadmap. Share the vision. Drive the results.