Balance by Design
“Righting the technology” is all about finding and preserving the right balance: balance between the interests of various stakeholders, between short and long term, centralized and decentralized, friendly and authoritative, purposeful, and spontaneous, value-rich and frugal, expanding and sustainable.
Besides the WHAT of technology trends, TechnoVision also provides a view of HOW to shape this balance within the organization – by purposeful, right design. The Balance by Design principles aim to provide control questions for executives, a bouquet of perspectives for architects, and a systematic checklist for anybody involved in a Technology Business portfolio, program, project, or initiative.
Presented on a single page, each principle is deliberately contrasted with an anti-principle: the opposite of the principle – a statement that may strike the reader as uncomfortably familiar.
The context then positions the principle, before living the principle shows how to apply the principle on a continuous basis, and the openings propose the potential first steps for any organization, like the opening moves of a chess game.
As always in TechnoVision, the first design principle reflects the overall theme of this year’s edition. Do Good, Do Less, Do Well is highly relevant because sustainability is at the top of corporate agendas and scarcity of everything is a dominating economic factor. The theme suggests doing the “right” things in terms of activities that contribute to societal good, but also to “right” the technology that enables it. So, say “Yes” to initiatives that create a positive, purposeful impact, and say “No” to activities that are energy-wasting or non-essential. Striking the right balance will make the organization thrive as never before.
Then the ever-crucial Technology∈∋Business (pronounced as “Every Business is a Technology Business”) principle makes a case for not “just” aligning business and technology, but fully unifying the two – achieving full transformational impact across the entire organization.
We continue with Adapt First, as we still need the “water-like” capabilities described in earlier TechnoVision editions to seamlessly adapt to whatever changing circumstances might occur inside and outside the organization. Hence, Adapt First is still a mantra that cannot be chanted enough.
Being open to any expected or unexpected partnering opportunity out there is now the hallmark of a true Technology Business and being With Open Arms can transform your platform into a true business magnet.
To deal with the irresistible ascension of data-fueled Artificial Intelligence, IQ CQ EQ Up promotes a proper balance between relying on data and algorithms – increasingly for creative purposes – and the emotional curves of all involved. We’re only humans, after all.
As trust levels ebb, Technology Businesses must respond with a powerful Trust Thrust, which unifies business and technology strengths to cherish trust, protect the corporate foundation, propel business growth.
Our last design principle of No Hands On Deck tantalizes us with the prospect of a fully automated, hands-free business, while suggesting a stepwise approach to getting there.
Each of the seven principles is designed to provide guidance on its own. Embrace all seven as a set and make them your Technology Business seven-league boots!
Patrice Duboe
Expert in Residence