Structure of the roadmap
The roadmap consists of the following sections.
2.1 Executive summary
The executive summary provides the overview for your roadmap and should concisely encapsulate what you hope to achieve with your AI project and why. In this section of the template, you are required to summarize your plan for using AI in your organization to gain strategic advantage. In your summary, include the following:
Your vision for the AI project
Organization information, including the relevant products or services it provides
Your overall plan for the strategic implementation of an AI technology or a combination of AI technologies
How the organization can benefit from the use of AI in terms of Porters three generic strategies: cost leadership, differentiation, or focus
Note:
Your executive summary should be no more than 500 words.
2.2 Current state
This section requires you to analyze the organizations current use of technology, as well as its position in relation to competitors. Discuss the organizations strategic positioning in terms of cost leadership, differentiation, or focus. In this section, cover the following points:
How innovative technologies are currently deployed in the organization
The competitive strategy of the organization (cost leadership, differentiation, or focus)
Note:
Your current state analysis should be no more than 500 words.
2.3 Proposed initiative
In this section, you are required to detail your proposed initiative for using AI to transform business processes in the organization. Highlight the following points in your summary:
The AI technologies or applications that you have chosen to integrate into the organization, and where and how those technologies will be applied
Specific tasks and processes in the organization that will benefit from using AI
How the use of AI will impact cost leadership, differentiation, or focus and give your organization a competitive advantage (Note that it is generally considered better to focus on only one of the three strategies. However, if you believe some combination of these strategies would be more beneficial in the context of your organization, explain why)
The technical requirements necessary to roll out the proposed initiative
The managerial or leadership requirements necessary to roll out the proposed initiative
How your proposed initiative fits in with the organizations IT strategies
How your proposed initiative will benefit customers or suppliers
Note:
Your proposed initiative section should be no more than 800 words.
2.4 Plan of action and criteria for success
In the last section of your roadmap, describe your plan of action for the implementation of AI in your organization. What steps will you take once you have completed this roadmap and this program? Include the following points in your summary:
An overview of the project plan, with a brief indication of the timelines or milestones
The skills that you need to build, contract for, or acquire
The key stakeholders involved in rolling out your proposed initiative
The organizational aspects involved in rolling out your proposed initiative
How you intend to manage the initiative
Any special considerations for rolling out the proposed initiative
Any ethical concerns or risks, and how you propose to mitigate them
The impact that using AI could have on jobs in the organization (Will any jobs be eliminated, or new roles created? Will there be potential to upskill or reskill employees?)
Criteria by which success will be determined
Plans for extending the roadmap to your advantage in the future
Note:
Your plan of action and criteria for success section should be no more than 800 words.
