What do you do if your IT strategy encounters a major roadblock?

É crucial focarmos primeiro no problema! Frequentemente, nas diretorias de TICs, os gestores se concentram demasiadamente em tecnologias. Quando uma novidade surge, há uma pressa em adotá-la. Contudo, é essencial lembrar que a tecnologia serve como facilitadora. O núcleo da questão é o problema a ser resolvido. O foco não deve estar na tecnologia em si, mas no problema que buscamos solucionar.

Your IT Strategy WILL encounter several major roadblocks...there are no "if's". By its very nature, and IT Strategy includes various assumptions, constraints and risks, and the potential of creating an invalid assumption or hitting up on a real constraint (like budget) should be assumed as HIGHLY likely. Your IT Strategy needs to rely LESS on setting and achieving an end goal, and MORE on reaching a set of much shorter term way points. At each way point you re assess the assumption, discuss the new constraints, and create a new set of waypoints to accommodate.

Identifying the root cause of any major roadblock is crucial. It's like diagnosing an illness before prescribing a treatment. Without understanding the underlying issue, any attempt to resolve it would be akin to shooting in the dark. Whether it's a technical glitch, a communication breakdown, or a resource constraint, pinpointing the exact cause enables targeted and effective solutions, ensuring minimal disruption to our IT strategy.

A simple yet effective approach is the "5 Whys" technique. Ask "why" the roadblock is happening five times or until you reach the root cause. For example, "Why did the system crash?" "Why was the server overloaded?" "Why was there a surge in traffic?" Continue asking why until you identify the fundamental reason behind the roadblock. Avoid Band-Aid Fixes: Focusing solely on immediate fixes might address the symptoms temporarily, but they often overlook the underlying problem. Identifying the root cause ensures to implement solutions that address the long-term health of your IT strategy. Preventing Future Issues: By identifying the root cause, gain valuable insights into potential weaknesses within the IT strategy or team processes.

If an IT strategy encounters a major roadblock, it's crucial to take a structured approach to address the issue and mitigate potential negative impacts. Identify and analyze the roadblock: Assess the impact: Develop contingency plans: Communicate effectively: Assess if additional resources are required: Implement the contingency plan: Document and learn: By taking a proactive and structured approach, effectively communicating with stakeholders, and leveraging contingency planning, you can navigate through major roadblocks in your IT strategy while minimizing disruptions and maintaining progress towards your strategic objectives.

Adaptation: Scope Reduction: Temporarily or permanently scale back the project scope to address the immediate challenge and ensure success within available resources. Revisit priorities within the strategy. Certain tasks might need to be delayed or de-emphasized to focus on overcoming the roadblock. Maintain a flexible mindset. Be prepared to adjust the timeline, resource allocation, or even team roles as needed to overcome the roadblock. Adjustment: Refined Processes: Adjust specific processes within the IT strategy to address the root cause of the roadblock. Improved Risk Management Enhanced Communication Protocols Knowledge Sharing and Training.

Based on your understanding of the roadblock and the insights from your team and stakeholders, adapt your strategy or project plan as necessary. This might mean reprioritizing tasks, reallocating resources, or revising timelines. Flexibility and resilience are critical during this step. For example, adjusting the rollout strategy for the new software to a phased approach might mitigate delays.

Beyond these immediate steps, consider the broader implications of the roadblock on your IT strategy and organizational goals. This might involve reassessing your IT strategy in light of new information, technologies, or market changes. Additionally, fostering a culture that views roadblocks as opportunities for learning and innovation can strengthen your team and organization’s resilience. By following these steps, you can effectively manage major roadblocks in your IT strategy, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and improvement.

According to a report by McKinsey, around 70% of complex, large-scale programs don't reach their stated goals. When you encounter a roadblock, gather the stakeholders needed to assess the roadblock and determine next steps. Stay agile and be prepared to adapt your strategy. Remember, your strategy serves as a guide, and you should be prepared and expect to have to pivot along the way.