September-October is when 2026 strategy gets defined. Smart CIOs start now:
## The Q4 Planning Framework
**September: Assess Current State**
- 2025 wins and misses (what worked, what did not)
- Technical debt audit (what is hurting us)
- Competitive threats (what competitors are doing)
- Business strategy alignment (where is business heading)
**October: Build 2026 Strategy**
- 3-5 strategic themes (not 20 priorities)
- Major initiatives with business outcomes
- Cost optimization opportunities
- Risk mitigation requirements
**November: Secure Budget**
- Build financial case (ROI, business value)
- Three budget scenarios (maintain/optimize/transform)
- Get executive alignment
- Finalize budget approval
**December: Prepare for Execution**
- Hire for critical roles
- Issue RFPs for major vendors
- Kick off strategic initiatives
- Set Q1 OKRs and team goals
## The Strategic Theme Framework
Pick 3-5 themes, not more:
**Example Themes for 2026**:
1. **AI Operationalization**: Move from pilots to production
2. **FinOps Maturity**: Achieve run stage for cloud cost optimization
3. **Security Modernization**: Implement zero-trust architecture
4. **Technical Debt Reduction**: Retire 3 legacy systems
5. **Team Development**: Build cloud and AI capabilities
Each theme should have:
- Business driver (why it matters)
- Success metrics (how we measure)
- Investment required (budget and people)
- Timeline and milestones
## Aligning IT and Business Strategy
**Step 1**: Understand business priorities
- Revenue growth targets
- Market expansion plans
- Customer experience goals
- Operational efficiency needs
**Step 2**: Map IT initiatives to business outcomes
- "Cloud migration" → "Support 40% customer growth"
- "Security upgrade" → "Avoid $4.5M breach cost, win enterprise deals"
- "Data platform" → "30% faster decision-making"
**Step 3**: Quantify business value
- Revenue impact (new sales enabled)
- Cost savings (efficiency gains)
- Risk reduction (compliance, security)
- Competitive advantage (faster than competitors)
## The Budget Presentation
To board and CFO (6 slides):
1. 2025 recap (wins, value delivered, lessons learned)
2. 2026 business context (market, competition, opportunities)
3. Strategic themes (3-5 major focus areas)
4. Investment request (three scenarios with trade-offs)
5. Expected outcomes (business value by quarter)
6. Risks and mitigation (what could go wrong)
## Start Now
September actions:
- [ ] Review 2025 performance against goals
- [ ] Meet with business leaders on 2026 priorities
- [ ] Audit technical debt and cost optimization opportunities
October actions:
- [ ] Draft 2026 strategic themes and initiatives
- [ ] Build budget scenarios with ROI
- [ ] Socialize with executive team for feedback
November actions:
- [ ] Present and negotiate budget
- [ ] Get written approval before December
- [ ] Begin hiring and vendor selection
The CIOs who win budget and support are those who start planning in September, not December.
## The Q4 Planning Framework
**September: Assess Current State**
- 2025 wins and misses (what worked, what did not)
- Technical debt audit (what is hurting us)
- Competitive threats (what competitors are doing)
- Business strategy alignment (where is business heading)
**October: Build 2026 Strategy**
- 3-5 strategic themes (not 20 priorities)
- Major initiatives with business outcomes
- Cost optimization opportunities
- Risk mitigation requirements
**November: Secure Budget**
- Build financial case (ROI, business value)
- Three budget scenarios (maintain/optimize/transform)
- Get executive alignment
- Finalize budget approval
**December: Prepare for Execution**
- Hire for critical roles
- Issue RFPs for major vendors
- Kick off strategic initiatives
- Set Q1 OKRs and team goals
## The Strategic Theme Framework
Pick 3-5 themes, not more:
**Example Themes for 2026**:
1. **AI Operationalization**: Move from pilots to production
2. **FinOps Maturity**: Achieve run stage for cloud cost optimization
3. **Security Modernization**: Implement zero-trust architecture
4. **Technical Debt Reduction**: Retire 3 legacy systems
5. **Team Development**: Build cloud and AI capabilities
Each theme should have:
- Business driver (why it matters)
- Success metrics (how we measure)
- Investment required (budget and people)
- Timeline and milestones
## Aligning IT and Business Strategy
**Step 1**: Understand business priorities
- Revenue growth targets
- Market expansion plans
- Customer experience goals
- Operational efficiency needs
**Step 2**: Map IT initiatives to business outcomes
- "Cloud migration" → "Support 40% customer growth"
- "Security upgrade" → "Avoid $4.5M breach cost, win enterprise deals"
- "Data platform" → "30% faster decision-making"
**Step 3**: Quantify business value
- Revenue impact (new sales enabled)
- Cost savings (efficiency gains)
- Risk reduction (compliance, security)
- Competitive advantage (faster than competitors)
## The Budget Presentation
To board and CFO (6 slides):
1. 2025 recap (wins, value delivered, lessons learned)
2. 2026 business context (market, competition, opportunities)
3. Strategic themes (3-5 major focus areas)
4. Investment request (three scenarios with trade-offs)
5. Expected outcomes (business value by quarter)
6. Risks and mitigation (what could go wrong)
## Start Now
September actions:
- [ ] Review 2025 performance against goals
- [ ] Meet with business leaders on 2026 priorities
- [ ] Audit technical debt and cost optimization opportunities
October actions:
- [ ] Draft 2026 strategic themes and initiatives
- [ ] Build budget scenarios with ROI
- [ ] Socialize with executive team for feedback
November actions:
- [ ] Present and negotiate budget
- [ ] Get written approval before December
- [ ] Begin hiring and vendor selection
The CIOs who win budget and support are those who start planning in September, not December.
Tags
Strategic PlanningIT Strategy