9 IT Steps to Successful Functional Strategic Planning

Posted: January 20, 2025

In a fast-changing digital world, IT leaders must ensure strategic planning is agile, structured, and aligned with business goals. Yet, many organisations struggle to adapt to disruption.

Fact: Organisations with planning agility are 3.4x more likely to adjust at the speed of disruption. However, only 20% have the level of business engagement needed to be truly responsive.

Opinion: IT leaders must move beyond reactive decision-making and embrace a methodical approach to strategic planning. Short-term fixes and isolated initiatives won’t drive success—long-term business value and adaptability are key.

Here are 9 IT steps to successful functional strategic planning:

1. Outline Expectations – Define business context, responsibilities, and goals.

2. Verify Business Context – Align IT with enterprise mission and vision.

3. Set Goals & Objectives – Establish measurable steps that drive real value.

4. Assess Capabilities – Identify IT strengths and prioritise areas for improvement.

5. Develop an Action Plan – Map out initiatives with agility in mind.

6. Set Measures & Metrics – Track progress with data-driven insights.

7. Summarise on One Page – Clearly communicate strategy and critical initiatives.

8. Drive Engagement – Gain buy-in from leadership and teams.

9. Prepare for Change – Monitor triggers and adjust plans proactively.

By following these 9 steps, IT leaders can transform functional planning into a powerful driver of business success. Is your IT strategy built for agility and impact?