{"id":53253,"date":"2026-03-27T09:40:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T13:40:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eficio.ca\/blog\/plan-directeur-ti-pourquoi-cest-un-levier-strategique-incontournable-en-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T10:42:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T14:42:35","slug":"plan-directeur-ti-pourquoi-cest-un-levier-strategique-incontournable-en-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eficio.ca\/en\/blog\/plan-directeur-ti-pourquoi-cest-un-levier-strategique-incontournable-en-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"IT master plan: Why it\u2019s an essential strategic tool in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Is your IT master plan gathering dust in a drawer?<\/h1>\n

According to Gartner, the majority of IT strategic plans become obsolete in less than 12 months. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and the breakneck pace of technological change, this reality has never been more apparent.<\/p>\n

During the first webinar in the series \u201cThe Strategic Aspects of an IT Master Plan,\u201d organized by Eficio, Alain Marchildon (co-founder of Eficio) and \u00c9ric Levac (seasoned CIO) discussed the strategic foundations that distinguish a living master plan from a static document. Here are the key takeaways.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Alain Marchildon<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
President Eficio<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

1. Strategic alignment: the foundation of any IT master plan <\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

Companies whose IT strategy is aligned with their business strategy generate up to 20% higher returns on their technology investments (McKinsey, Gartner). Yet, in reality, the majority of IT decisions remain reactive.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you don\u2019t have an up-to-date master plan and structured governance, you fall into a reactive mode. The master plan sets the tone and helps align decisions,\u201d emphasizes \u00c9ric Levac.<\/p>\n

Alignment cannot be imposed; it is built through a participatory process involving the management committee, collaborative workshops, and regular updates based on changes in organizational priorities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

2. Business-Led IT Strategy: Who Should Lead the IT Strategy? <\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

70% of webinar participants stated that the IT strategy should be led by senior management rather than by the IT department alone. This represents a significant shift from the situation 5 to 10 years ago.<\/p>\n

When the approach is business-led, the master plan belongs to the entire organization. As \u00c9ric Levac points out: \u201cIt\u2019s not the IT plan; it\u2019s the organization\u2019s plan for using technology.\u201d This collective ownership strengthens the plan\u2019s credibility and facilitates its execution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

3. A Common Language: Breaking Down the Silos Between IT and Business<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
\n

An effective roadmap bridges the gap between technical jargon and business language. The most successful organizations in digital transformation have an IT vision that is understood by at least 80% of their managers.<\/p>\n

How can this be achieved? Through participatory workshops, ongoing outreach, and regular dialogue. The IT vision should not be technical; it must focus on creating value, generating revenue, and improving profitability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

4. Digital plan vs. IT Master Plan: What’s the Difference?\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n

Eficio clearly distinguishes between these two complementary tools:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n
\n

Ideally, the two go hand in hand. If the digital transformation aspect has never been addressed, the IT master plan alone will not be sufficient, as it will be tactical and focused on IT governance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

5. Prioritization: Avoiding the Trap of the Never-Ending \u201cQuick Win\u201d <\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

70% of digital transformations fail, and the main cause is not technology, but rather resistance to change, poor prioritization, and scattered efforts.<\/p>\n

An effective prioritization framework must address three key areas: business value, feasibility, and strategic alignment. The classic pitfall is to systematically favor easy projects at the expense of profound but necessary transformations.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must have the courage to push forward foundational initiatives whose business value is realized over the longer term, while maintaining momentum with quick wins,\u201d says \u00c9ric Levac.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

6. The Impact of AI: A Catalyst for Change <\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

Artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing the landscape. Strategic plans that were viable for two to three years now need to be updated at least annually, if not quarterly.<\/p>\n

AI impacts both the digital strategy (new capabilities in marketing, sales, and operations) and the IT master plan (team composition, expanded development pipelines, data governance). Each quarter, a review is essential: Are my planned investments still relevant?<\/p>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

7. KPIs: Measuring Business Value, Not Technology <\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

Metrics that are too disconnected from business priorities lose credibility. The KPIs in the master plan must be tied to concrete business results: margins, revenue, and operational efficiency.<\/p>\n

\u00c9ric Levac\u2019s advice: \u201cIt\u2019s better to have a few well-understood metrics than 114 pages of metrics presented to the executive committee.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Conclusion: A living master plan, not a static document<\/h2>\n
\n

An IT master plan shouldn\u2019t be a 100-page Word document that ends up in a drawer. Eficio advocates a concise approach using impactful PowerPoint presentations of about 15 slides, which are regularly updated and used as a tool for strategic dialogue.<\/p>\n

The keys to an effective master plan: solid strategic alignment, a shared IT vision, clear guiding principles, rigorous prioritization, and monitoring based on business value.<\/p>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

FAQ \u2013 IT Master Plan – The 5 Essential Questions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
What is an IT master plan, and why is it essential in 2026? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n
\n

An IT master plan is a strategic tool that aligns technology investments with your organization’s business priorities. In 2026, with the acceleration of artificial intelligence and rapid technological changes, it becomes essential to avoid reactive decisions and maximize return on investment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

According to Gartner and McKinsey, companies whose IT strategy is aligned with their business strategy generate up to 20% additional return on their technology investments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

\ud83d\udc49 Discover how Eficio supports organizations in their IT master plan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Who should lead the IT strategy: the IT department or executive management? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

According to a survey conducted during the Eficio webinar, 70% of participants believe that IT strategy should be led by executive management rather than by the IT department alone.<\/p>\n

A business-led<\/strong> approach ensures that the master plan belongs to the entire organization, strengthens its credibility, and facilitates its execution. As experienced CIO \u00c9ric Levac points out: “It’s not the IT plan, it’s the organization’s plan for using technology.”<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc49 Learn more about our strategic support<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
How do you prioritize IT projects without falling into the perpetual quick wins trap? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

An effective prioritization framework must cover three axes: business value, implementation feasibility, and strategic alignment. The classic trap is to systematically favor easy projects at the expense of deep but necessary transformations.<\/p>\n

You need the courage to push foundational initiatives whose business value is captured over the long term, while maintaining momentum with quick wins.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
How does artificial intelligence impact my IT master plan? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

AI is profoundly transforming the landscape. It impacts both the digital plan (new capabilities in marketing, sales, operations) and the IT master plan (team composition, augmented development pipelines, data governance).<\/p>\n

According to Gartner, strategic IT plans become obsolete in less than 12 months. With AI, an update at least annually, or even quarterly, is necessary. Each quarter, ask yourself: are my planned investments still relevant?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Where do I start if my organization has never had an IT master plan? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Start with a technology maturity audit to understand where your organization stands. Then identify business priorities and translate them into clear technology directions.<\/p>\n

Eficio offers a structured approach in three parts: strategic aspects, operational aspects, and structural decisions (financial management, rightsourcing, team structure). Our CIO 360 approach ensures consistency, alignment, and sustainability.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc49 Schedule a strategic conversation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n
<\/div>\n