Our leadership team is struggling to agree on which department should get budget priority for AI implementation this year. How do we use the V/TO to objectively rank and schedule these projects?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

When a leadership team is split on resource allocation, it is usually because they are prioritizing personal departmental preferences over the company's shared vision. To resolve this conflict, you must bring the discussion back to your V/TO®.

Look at your three-year picture and your one-year plan. Every proposed AI project must directly support the achievement of these goals. If your primary corporate goal for the year is scaling your sales volume, then an AI project that automates marketing lead qualification takes priority over an AI tool designed to optimize internal HR onboarding.

Use the IDS® process during your next quarterly planning session to rank the proposed projects.

- Identify the real bottleneck in your business that is currently preventing you from hitting your numbers.
- Discuss which AI tool offers the fastest, lowest-risk solution to that specific bottleneck.
- Solve the issue by selecting one, and only one, AI-focused Rock for the upcoming quarter.

By tying your technology investments directly to your V/TO®, you remove the emotion and politics from the decision. This ensures that your limited time and capital are focused on the projects that will have the greatest impact on your overall business growth.