Here's how you can decide on the right frequency to evaluate your IT strategy progress.

2 Assess Risk

Assessing the risk involved with your IT strategy is a critical factor in deciding evaluation frequency. If your business operates in a high-risk environment where technology changes rapidly or where data security is paramount, frequent evaluations can help mitigate potential issues. This might mean monthly or even weekly check-ins on specific high-risk areas. On the other hand, if your IT strategy is focused on stable, less dynamic areas of technology, quarterly or biannual evaluations might suffice.

3 Monitor Change

Monitoring change in both the internal and external environments of your business is important. Internally, track the progress of IT projects and the integration of new technologies. Externally, keep an eye on market trends, regulatory changes, and technological advancements. Evaluations should be frequent enough to capture these changes and allow your IT strategy to pivot accordingly. If your industry is prone to rapid change, consider more frequent evaluations to stay agile.

5 Resource Allocation

Consider the resources available for conducting evaluations of your IT strategy. This includes personnel, budget, and time. An overly ambitious evaluation schedule can strain resources and lead to burnout or incomplete assessments. Balance the need for thorough evaluations with the practicality of your resource constraints. You might find that alternating between comprehensive annual reviews and lighter quarterly check-ins provides a sustainable approach that keeps your strategy on track without overextending resources.

6 Agile Adaptation

Lastly, embrace an agile approach to adapting your evaluation frequency. The business landscape is not static, and neither should be your evaluation schedule. Be prepared to adjust the frequency based on feedback, resource availability, risk assessments, and monitoring of internal and external changes. This flexibility ensures that your IT strategy remains relevant and effective in achieving your business objectives. Start with a baseline frequency and tweak it as necessary, learning from each evaluation cycle to refine the process.