From chaos to clarity…
Technology has rapidly evolved from a function to a strategic concern in the business. Whilst this presents great opportunity, it also presents increased complexity for Tech and Business leaders in ensuring technology aligns with business goals and can adjust accordingly. Here are some ways to set you and your tech team up for success.
Look to co-lead
Work with the business to understand objectives, ambitions, capabilities and competitive landscape. Once these have been articulated and agreed, clearly translate business objectives into technology roadmaps that not only guide the tech team, but act as your lever to drive support and investment from the business. This work is your anchor point when times get challenging or you need to change direction. It also keeps you and your team accountable to making decisions from an overarching business, as opposed to a purely operational perspective.
Prioritise consistent communications
Whenever you are talking about the ‘what’, make sure you also talk about the ‘so what’. What does this tech decision mean to the user? , the customer? the bottom line? the ambition of the business?
Thinking about the so-what will ensure you connect with your core stakeholders around what’s important to them, even if they don’t like what they are hearing. It elevates language out of technical jargon and ensures the right decisions are being made and the right priorities focussed on.
Note consistent does not translate into often. It simply means finding a rhythm that works for you and your team to update and connect with each other and the business at large. Ensure to vary how you communicate. Email is only one way!
Set Realistic Expectations
‘Under promise and over deliver’ is a mantra that we should remind ourselves of, especially when Business leaders get excited about the possibilities, potentially without understanding what will be required to get there!
Setting realistic expectations involves honesty and clarity. Be upfront about what your tech team can achieve within the given timeframe and budget. It can be hard to do this at the moment but anchoring back into business priorities, capabilities and milestones will keep you focussed and clear when tempted to go in another direction.
Fostering a Culture of Radical Collaboration
Do not underestimate the power of building relationships - radical collaboration can be one of the superpowers of tech teams if effectively generated. Encourage regular interactions and cultivate a culture of trust and respect - park your frustrations and instead become curious - what are they looking to achieve? What are they struggling with? How might your work help them, and vice versa?
In conclusion, it is so important to create clarity around not just the technology direction, but the business direction and how technology is driving this; leaders and teams are more aligned, prioritise faster and anchor into whats best for the business over operational decisions. Consistent communication with clear intention and rhythms will open up new capacity and capability to elevate the impact of technology within your business.