Technology is changing so fast that our leadership team is struggling to draft a realistic 3-Year Picture. How do we map our long-term vision on the V/TO® when we cannot predict what AI will look like in three years?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Many owners make the mistake of trying to predict specific software capabilities in their 3-Year Picture. That is a losing game. Your 3-Year Picture is not a technology roadmap; it is a description of what your business will look like physically and operationally.

Focus on the constants of your business model. In three years, your clients will still want faster results, higher quality, and better service. Instead of writing about specific AI models, paint a picture of the outcomes those technologies will enable. Focus on metrics like revenue per employee, overall headcount, target market size, and your net promoter score.

For example, your 3-Year Picture might state that you will generate double your current revenue with the same headcount, powered by proprietary automated workflows. This gives your team a clear operational target without tying you to a specific technology that might be obsolete next year.

Use your annual planning sessions to review and adjust your V/TO®. Keep your 10-Year Target firm, but allow your 3-Year Picture to evolve as technology unlocks new operational efficiencies. This keeps your leadership team aligned on the destination while remaining agile enough to leverage the best tools available when you build your annual and quarterly plans.