Here's how you can excel as an IT Strategy team manager.

1. You lead by influence but must drive decisions. Even with great alignment of business and IT goals a strategy is only as strong as the leadership commitment behind it. 2. Collaborate formally and informally. Structured processes to ensure disciplined gathering of information and review of outputs is needed but it is essential to curate relationships with stakeholders across the firm. 3. Iterate - show your work - let the stakeholders and subject matter experts see where you are going and weigh in early and often. 4. Refine the strategy by presenting choices - particularly in early iterations providing options (and their pros/cons) and your recommendation will help you and the stakeholders have productive discussions.

To excel as an IT Strategy team manager, understanding your organization's business goals is essential because it allows you to align IT initiatives with overarching strategic objectives. This understanding enables you to prioritize projects that have the greatest impact on the organization's success. By comprehensively grasping business goals, you can effectively communicate IT's value proposition and secure buy-in from key stakeholders. Moreover, a deep understanding of business goals empowers you to anticipate future needs and proactively develop IT strategies that drive innovation and competitive advantage.

Goals can be tricky things as everyone can have a different opinion on priorities which themselves are at the whim of timing and unexpected "opportunities". The cardinal rule for me is maintaining a 10,000 foot perspective on the swirling mass of competing projects, resource changes, SMI (Senior Management Interference) and the wellbeing of my team. This last element is the most important. If I am communicating well with my team, changes to priorities and goals will be understood and contextualized. People need to understand where their efforts fit into the whole, when they do, they are primed to deliver extraordinary results.

To excel as an IT Strategy team manager: Align IT with business goals. Foster innovation and collaboration. Develop agile strategies for rapid adaptation. Prioritize cybersecurity and risk management. Cultivate strong relationships with stakeholders. Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies. Encourage continuous learning and skill development among team members.

Gain a deep understanding of your organization's strategic goals and how your team's work contributes to them. Align your team's priorities with these goals to ensure that you are working towards the same objectives.

Encourage collaboration and teamwork among your team members. Create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute their best.

I have found the most successful IT strategists are those who came up from business or have re-formed themselves into IT after a pivot in their career. While technologies and tools are constantly changing, the basics of business are remarkably resilient. Only by studying the business and it's drivers can you properly apply technology to solution development.

Support the professional growth and development of your team members. Provide opportunities for training and upskilling, and encourage them to take on new challenges and responsibilities.

To excel as an IT Strategy Manager, focus on aligning technology initiatives with business goals. Develop a deep understanding of both IT trends and the company’s strategic objectives. Foster strong communication with stakeholders, ensuring that technology investments deliver measurable business value. Stay agile, continuously assess emerging technologies, and adapt strategies accordingly. Lead cross-functional teams effectively, managing budgets and risks while optimizing resources. Ensure cybersecurity and data governance are top priorities. Cultivate a culture of innovation and continuous learning to stay ahead of competitors. Lastly, measure success through KPIs and ensure projects deliver long-term ROI.

From my perspective, strengthen our team together and support mutual growth through collaboration and co-creation of activities. I believe that together we can overcome any challenge. Focus on the following actions: 1. Brainstorming Sessions and Idea Exchange: Foster regular sessions where everyone can contribute innovative ideas and solutions. 2. Team Project Development: Encourage collaborative projects that promote mutual learning and skill-building. 3. Constructive Feedback and Mutual Support: Establish a culture of open feedback and support among team members, enabling everyone to grow and develop together.

Effectively prioritize projects based on their strategic importance and resource requirements. Ensure that your team is focused on the projects that will have the greatest impact on achieving your organization's goals.

Maintain open and transparent communication with your team members. Clearly communicate expectations, goals, and project requirements, and provide regular updates on progress and performance.

Change management ensures changes are meticulously planned, communicated, and implemented in a controlled manner. This minimizes service disruptions, reduces failures, and aligns changes with business objectives, enhancing operational efficiency. Top 2 essential actions for effective change management: 1. Thorough Planning and Assessment: Conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate potential impacts on systems, processes, and stakeholders. Assess risks, allocate necessary resources, and establish clear objectives and timelines. 2. Clear Communication and Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate change plans transparently to all stakeholders, including IT teams, management, and end-users. Engage stakeholders early and address concerns.

Based on my practical experience, the items below should remain on your radar ? Adaptation to Emerging Technology: Stay up to date with the latest trends and emerging technologies to maintain the relevance of IT strategies. ? Continuous Performance Assessment: monitor the performance of IT strategies and adjust as necessary to achieve organizational goals. ? Proactive Problem Resolution: skills to identify and resolve problems proactively. ? Creating Strategic Partnerships: Establish strategic collaborations within and outside the organization to strengthen IT initiatives. ? Cost and Budget Management: Maintain strict control over IT project costs and budgets, ensuring the efficient use of resources.