How should a leadership team define our V/TO 3-Year Picture when AI capabilities are changing so fast that we cannot predict what tech will exist in thirty-six months?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Trying to predict specific software in your V/TO 3-Year Picture is a fool's errand. Instead, paint the picture based on capabilities and operational targets. Focus on what the business must look like physically and financially in three years, not the specific tools you will use. Ask yourself how much revenue you want to generate per employee. AI allows you to set targets that were previously impossible, such as doubling your revenue without doubling your headcount. Describe the customer experience in your 3-Year Picture. Will clients get instant, AI-driven diagnostic reports? Will your account managers spend eighty percent of their time on relationship building because AI handles the reporting? Frame your 3-Year Picture around these business outcomes. This keeps your leadership team aligned on the vision while leaving the technical execution to your annual and quarterly Rocks. By focusing on capabilities rather than specific software, your strategy remains resilient even as the underlying technology evolves weekly. This discipline ensures you build true enterprise value that stands up during a buyer's due diligence when you prepare for an exit.