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AI Strategy & Roadmap Definition

Define the target state and the path to reach it. Mission, governance architecture, capability build plan, prioritised use cases, and a 12–36 month roadmap that survives board scrutiny.

What it is

A six-to-ten-week engagement that takes you from a clear-eyed view of your current state (ideally from Phase 1 Assessment) to a defined target state and a sequenced path. Combines stakeholder interviews, executive workshops, governance architecture design, capability mapping, and roadmap sequencing into a single board-approved strategy.

Who it's for

CIOs, CISOs, Digital Directors, Programme Directors and Chief Executives who need to move beyond AI ambition into a credible, costed, sequenced plan. Especially relevant when AI sits within a broader transformation portfolio or where the board is asking for a defensible AI direction.

Duration

6–10 weeks

Format

Fixed-scope, fixed-fee

From

£40,000 +VAT

Engagement

Embedded + workshops

What's covered

Strategy Definition Components

AI mission, vision and guiding principles — written to be readable, decisionable and defensible. Connects AI directly to organisational outcomes and public value.
Target SAGF maturity by face — "good" defined for your size, sector and starting point. Not aspirational; achievable and evidenced.
Governance architecture design — ownership model, committee structure, decision rights, escalation paths, executive sponsorship.
Capability build plan — what skills, roles and structures need to exist in 12, 24, 36 months. Internal vs partner vs hired. Sequencing.
Prioritised use-case backlog — the AI work the organisation should and shouldn't pursue. Scored on feasibility, value, risk and readiness. Quick wins identified.
12–36 month roadmap — sequenced delivery plan. Dependencies named. Decision gates marked. Funding profile illustrated.
Board narrative — the story the board hears, written to withstand challenge from finance, risk, audit and political stakeholders.

Deliverables

Board-Ready Output

Six deliverables. Each individually defensible. Together they form the foundation for everything that follows in the lifecycle.

AI Strategy Document — the board-approved strategic position. Mission, principles, target state, sequencing logic.
Governance Architecture Blueprint — committee structure, RACI, decision rights, terms of reference templates.
Capability Build Plan — named roles, sequencing, internal vs partner split, hiring vs reskilling decisions.
Prioritised Use-Case Backlog — ranked AI initiatives, with scoring rationale and recommended sequencing.
12–36 Month Roadmap — visual roadmap, dependency map, decision-gate calendar, funding profile.
Board Presentation Pack — ready-to-present deck for executive sign-off, with anticipated challenges and prepared responses.

Framework Mapping

How This Maps to SAGF and the Lifecycle

SAGF Faces covered

Face 1 · Strategic Alignment (target-state definition)
Face 2 · Governance Architecture (target design)
Face 6 · Value & Lifecycle (strategic value definition)
Other faces are referenced where target maturity directly shapes the roadmap

Lifecycle position

Phase 2 of the six-phase Cube8 AI Enablement Lifecycle
Most effective when preceded by Phase 1 (Assessment)
Naturally precedes Phase 3 (Security, Governance & Assurance)
Defines the targets that every later phase delivers against

Where Next

Continuing the Journey

Phase 3 · Recommended next

AI Security, Governance & Assurance

Move from defined strategy to the security, governance and assurance foundations that make delivery defensible.

Phase 1 · Preceding option

AI Readiness & Maturity Assessment

If the strategy effort lacks a clear baseline, start with the three-to-four-week assessment first.

Discuss a strategy engagement

Tell us your starting position, the catalyst, and the board appetite. We'll respond with an indicative shape, scoping call and fee band within two working days.

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