It is virtually impossible to work today without using any technology. Therefore it’s essential to have a well-planned, strategic approach to technology. That strategic approach is an IT roadmap. 

There are many different aspects to take into consideration when crafting this document. This is how you (or a supplemental IT staff member) can create an IT roadmap that supports your business growth. 

What Is an IT Roadmap?

An IT roadmap is a strategic planning tool that outlines specific goals, timelines and projects. It is your company’s structured path for implementing and enhancing any technology it uses. When you create an IT roadmap, you can ensure your technology aligns with your business objectives which makes them more strategic, efficient and impactful.  

If your organization doesn’t have a plan, or it’s not well defined, you may struggle to make informed decisions when it comes to technology investments, leading to inefficiencies, missed opportunities and increased costs. Considering these pitfalls, it’s easy to see why IT roadmaps are essential to organizational innovation and growth.

Benefits of an IT Roadmap 

There are many benefits to creating this roadmap, including creating a strategic focus and improving the maintenance of your systems. 

The creation of your IT roadmap aligns with technology initiatives and the vision of the organization. When you clearly define your technology goals you’ll be able to easily prioritize projects or upgrades. Every technology upgrade will be strategic, helping your company grow. 

Speaking of strategic investments, knowing which pieces of tech are redundant or not used allows you to streamline resources and save on expenses. Wouldn’t it be helpful to know exactly which technology upgrades would be truly valuable to your organization? 

 When you have an all-encompassing view of your IT infrastructure, you’ll be better equipped to manage scheduled maintenance and reduce the risk of obsolete technology. Your roadmap is a guide that will need to be updated regularly to ensure your technology always performs highly. 

Key Considerations When Creating Your IT Roadmap

As you work to create a roadmap, you’ll want to evaluate your needs and priorities in a few areas, including:

• Expansion needs: Take into account your growth trajectory over the next one to three years. Ensure your technology will scale alongside your business.
• Current pain points: What challenges does your organization face? Is there any technology or software that can address these? When your roadmap addresses obstacles, it will improve your productivity and efficiency overall.
• Customer value proposition: Answer this question: What makes your services valuable to your customers or clients? The answer can inform a roadmap that enhances these strengths.
• Investment in IT scale-out: Technology rapidly changes, so you’ll need to plan current and future investments that support growth.
• Customer industry trends: Are there any trends in your customer base (e.g. healthcare or finance)? Consider which ones might influence your needs in the future.
• Building service champions: Encourage internal support for IT initiatives by investing in training and development programs that help staff become advocates for technological growth. How are you fostering “service” champions within the organization? What’s the plan to do so? Will you invest in training, conferences or seminars?

Steps to Create an IT Roadmap  

Now that you and your team have started to discuss creating or updating your IT roadmap, it’s time to start creating the document. Here’s how you do it: 

Define Strategic Objectives

If you’ve gone through the key considerations for creating an IT roadmap, you likely have IT goals created or in mind. Be sure to align your goals with your organization’s overall business objectives. Your goals should be clearly defined and time-bound so they can be prioritized. 

Assess the Current Technology Landscape

Once you’ve laid out your goals, it is time to conduct an inventory of your existing applications and systems. Take into account your technology’s performance, scalability and security. 

Identify Gaps and Opportunities

Now that you know what hardware, software and other technology your company has, are any of the elements outdated? What about inefficient or unused? We suggest you prioritize addressing these underperforming items early on to see returns on your investment quickly.

Prioritize Initiatives

Rank your projects based on how they align with resource requirements, dependencies, business goals and how they will benefit your organization. When you do this, you can start with the initiatives that will bring your organization the most value.

Establish Timelines and Milestones

Every one of the initiatives that are laid out in your IT roadmap needs a realistic timeline. When creating the timeline, take into consideration risks, resource availability and if there are any dependencies. Track the progress along the way!

Allocate Resources

Resources don’t just include budgeting but also the personnel or outside resources you may need to complete the initiative. 

Implement and Monitor Progress

It’s vital to monitor your timelines and milestones so your project can stay on track. Create a reporting system to identify and resolve any issues before they become major roadblocks.

Evaluate and Adjust the Roadmap

Your roadmap shouldn’t just be created and left alone. It will need to be updated regularly. Business needs change, technology is always evolving, and so is your industry. Regular updates help keep your roadmap relevant and keep your organization growing.

Find IT Roadmap Support

Taking a structured approach to planning your technology infrastructure and investments is vital to overall business growth. Creating your IT roadmap can be a complicated process for your team to complete amid their daily tasks. You can augment your staff to help support your team during the creation and implementation of your IT roadmap. Get started by booking a meeting with us to discuss our IT and software staff augmentation services.