IDC PlanScape: CIO Strategic Planning

This IDC PlanScape presents a comprehensive guide for CIOs to develop and implement strategic planning in the digital enterprise. It enables organizations to navigate market turbulence, adapt rapidly to changing conditions, and orchestrate complex IT environments to deliver dynamic capabilities. In today’s volatile business landscape, strategic planning helps shift from reactive resource allocation to proactive value creation while systematically reducing technical debt.“As market volatility and technological complexity increase, CIOs must adopt an agile approach to strategic planning that extends beyond traditional annual cycles,” says Serge Findling, an adjunct research advisor with IDC’s IT Executive Programs (IEP). “Effective strategic planning requires not only aligning IT with business goals but also creating adaptable technology environments. This approach allows organizations to thrive amid constant change, reduce planning biases, and maintain a three horizons perspective that balances short-term execution with long-term vision.”