You're struggling to involve non-technical team members in IT strategy. How can you get them on board?
To get non-technical team members on board with IT strategy, focus on clear communication, relatable goals, and inclusive planning. Here's how to bridge the gap:
How do you engage your non-technical colleagues in IT discussions?
You're struggling to involve non-technical team members in IT strategy. How can you get them on board?
To get non-technical team members on board with IT strategy, focus on clear communication, relatable goals, and inclusive planning. Here's how to bridge the gap:
How do you engage your non-technical colleagues in IT discussions?
-
To effectively involve non-technical team members in IT strategy, focus on clear communication and tangible benefits. Translate complex technical concepts into simple, understandable terms. Highlight how IT initiatives directly impact their roles and the overall business goals. Encourage open dialogue, actively seek their input, and demonstrate how their unique perspectives can enhance the strategy. By fostering a collaborative environment, you can empower non-technical team members to become valuable contributors to the IT strategy process.
-
Involving non-technical team members in IT strategy starts with clear communication. Simplify complex concepts, focusing on how IT aligns with business goals. Encourage collaboration by showing how their input shapes outcomes and addresses customer needs. Use relatable examples and real-world benefits to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical perspectives. Regular check-ins and open forums create a space for questions and ideas, fostering a sense of ownership. Remember, IT is a team effort, and diverse insights lead to smarter strategies. Together, we drive innovation and growth!
-
Involving business team members in IT strategy can be challenging. but it's crucial to ensure that the strategy aligns with the overall business goals, 1. Explain how IT strategy impacts the overall business objectives. 2. Focus on the benefits that the IT strategy will bring to their specific roles and departments. 3. Engage non-technical team members early in the planning process. 4. Use analogies and real-world examples to explain complex technical concepts. 5. Demonstrate the value of the IT strategy with quick wins. Small, early successes can build confidence and support for the larger strategy.
-
1. Explain business and operations benefits the technology provides. This will get their attention. 2. What other improvements do they need in their day to day operations? This would interest them as it directly benefits them. Then, show them how that can be achieved thru' technology. Basically breaking it down in a language they understand and it's how it directly benefits them will shore up their interests and result in average participation.
-
In addition to the fundamentals mentioned, I’ve found Design Thinking Workshops to be invaluable for engaging non-technical stakeholders, including both line-of-business leaders and corporate services. By bringing them into the same sessions as senior IT leaders, we put the customer journey front and center, ensuring every persona understands how their roles intersect to build brand value. What’s truly inspiring is how these cross-functional teams often take ownership of innovations that emerge from these strategic bonding exercises. The shared purpose and collaborative energy spark not just alignment but genuine commitment to driving meaningful change.
-
My first port of call would be to understand the 'why'. Why are these nontechnical members struggling? Is it a technical issue or a lack of understanding of current strategic goals? Is there a disconnect between the strategy and business goals? If there's a reason the team members are struggling its generally how its being communicated.
-
To engage non-technical colleagues in IT strategy, start with storytelling. Share real-world examples that showcase the impact of IT initiatives on business success. Frame discussions around their challenges, demonstrating how IT can provide solutions. Use visuals like charts or infographics to simplify data. Collaborate by involving them early in planning sessions, ensuring their insights shape the strategy. Finally, celebrate wins that stem from their input, reinforcing the value of their involvement.
-
Engaging non-technical team members in IT strategy is all about clear communication and inclusion. Use simple language and relatable examples to explain IT concepts, avoiding jargon. Show how IT initiatives directly benefit their work and contribute to company goals. Encourage feedback by creating spaces where they can share ideas and concerns and demonstrate that their input matters. Organize collaborative workshops to foster teamwork and celebrate their involvement in successful projects to build a sense of ownership and engagement.
-
To engage non-technical colleagues in IT discussions, I’ve used Objective Key Results (OKRs) to align IT strategy with their goals, showing how initiatives directly support organizational objectives. Simplifying concepts with analogies and highlighting benefits fosters understanding, while collaborative OKR planning sessions encourage their input and build shared ownership of the strategy.
-
Engaging non-technical team members in IT strategy requires bridging technical concepts with practical relevance. Simplify complex ideas by using plain language and relatable analogies. Demonstrate the benefits by linking IT initiatives to their goals, such as improving efficiency, reducing workload, or enhancing customer satisfaction. Encourage active participation by inviting feedback and creating collaborative forums, ensuring their concerns and ideas are valued. Tools like visual aids, workshops, and real-world success stories can further clarify the impact of IT strategy. How do you ensure your non-technical team feels included in technology planning?
Rate this article
More relevant reading
-
Conflict ManagementHow can you facilitate group discussions for technical or complex topics?
-
Peer SupportHow can you effectively share resources and information with peers in a peer support network?
-
Market ResearchWhat are some ways to show cross-functional team skills in your focus group portfolio?
-
ManagementHow can you keep group discussions on topic?