If you are comparing managed services providers (MSPs), you've likely heard the phrase "technology roadmap." The question is, do you understand what that process entails and why it is important to your organization? We'll walk through a tech roadmap definition and process here, plus explain why an IT roadmap adds value by aligning your technology strategy with your business goals to create a powerful tool that drives success for your organization.
Defining the Technology Roadmap Process
One way to differentiate between popup IT services companies and reputable managed services providers (MSPs) is their proven processes and operational maturity. One clear indication of both is their ability to work collaboratively with your organization to navigate the business technology planning steps that lead to a technology upgrade strategy aligned with your business vision and long-term goals.
At Exigent, we follow the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a strategic approach to organizational growth that empowers long-term vision with annual planning and quarterly agility. That combination of accountability, thoughtful investments, and ongoing validation of goals and plans ensures our business is prepared to innovate and overcome challenges by aligning resources with our strategic vision.
We apply that same meticulous approach with clients. We explore your business aspirations, identify tactical opportunities, and pinpoint potential obstacles. This consultative process allows us to tailor a precise yet flexible IT roadmap—one that empowers your business with the exact technology stack needed to execute your long-term vision. That roadmap includes:
- Short-term IT needs that will provide stability in your technology environment
- Potential challenges that the right technology may help you overcome
- Long-term replacement/upgrade needs for solutions such as software, devices, and more
- Long-term overview of potential growth and other flex points that may require technology expansion, niche solutions, or innovative products
The Importance of a Tech Roadmap
Most organizations consider technology as table stakes, something needed for daily operations. From phones and printers to more complex solutions such as business continuity and cybersecurity, IT provides the framework for your business to create, produce, employ, and serve. But technology is an ever-evolving toolset – and since no one likes surprises, having a plan to swap out aging IT for new hardware and software can protect your organization from unplanned outages and unexpected costs.
Moreover, a technology roadmap can help your business leadership plan long term and consider what innovative solutions might be needed as part of other business expansion projects. Alignment between business success goals and the right-fit technology to fuel that growth can create a competitive advantage for organizations – from cutting-edge solutions such as automation to retaining talent with effective, modern technology devices and software that encourage collaboration and productivity.
Working with an experienced managed IT services provider to create a bespoke tech roadmap means sitting down and identifying your needs, sharing your goals, and considering all your options, including your capacity to budget for technology short- and long-term. A good MSP will advise you on priorities and best practices as part of that process, then continue to add value by evaluating and tweaking the roadmap each year in a quarterly business review (QBR) – much like annual planning sessions under the EOS system.
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What to Look for in Your IT Roadmap?
When it comes to IT strategic planning, one key benefit of a tech roadmap is guidance for decision-making and resource allocation that can help you budget effectively and manage projects with more efficiency. Working collaboratively and under the knowledgeable guidance of your MSP, your team's key stakeholders should expect a roadmap planning session(s) to include the following IT roadmap components:
- Identify needs, both current and future. Much like the EOS system, your roadmap planning should address urgent needs (90-180 days) such as new laptops for employees, as well as annual and long-term requirements, such as IT infrastructure strategy for business continuity improvements. These needs should align with business goals plotted along the same timeline.
- Evaluate risk to set priorities. Understanding how investing, or not, into certain technologies tools and solutions must include an honest evaluation of what happens without action. That can include hits to productivity, hiring, customer experience, and cybersecurity, to name a few.
- Brainstorm innovation opportunities. Let's be honest, there are some amazing cool tech products out there. But cool isn't the basis for investment. Take the time to explore and consider cutting-edge technology and the role it could play in your organization's business IT strategy.
- Consider ROI. Much like an investment into home renovations or the purchase of a new car, your team needs to understand the tipping point where keeping legacy equipment costs your organization money instead of saving it. Yes, new technology can put a squeeze on any business budget, but that is one of the compelling reasons to draft your roadmap – to inform savings and financial planning.
- Consider projects vs. technology lifecycle management. Every business has initiatives that are not simple "cost of doing business" plans but rather a significant change. Understanding what business projects are on the horizon and how your IT can contribute to those efforts is a key element of a roadmap. Then add regular renewal dates and required updates in this step.
- Timeline for IT roadmap implementation. Once the group has identified needs, wants, opportunities, and potential roadblocks, craft a realistic timeline that will inform your budget and other planning efforts.
No matter its size or type, every organization should have an IT roadmap that guides it toward a more effective use of technology. So many businesses are overwhelmed with the choices and cost of IT, but having a strategic approach – one that mirrors your other business goals such as hiring, new offices, and market expansion – can create a more thoughtful approach that empowers your success.
At Exigent, we've created our proven process to address these challenges, no matter what size or type of business you have.
At Exigent, we've created our proven process to address these challenges, no matter what size or type of business you have. Contact us for a consultation – no strings attached.
