Sequencing for Scale: Roadmaps That Get Funded
This is the eighth and final post in our Strategy Series, published every Thursday. Each week, we explore how Australian organisations can rethink their operating models, embrace AI with intention, and stay ahead of the curve. Stay tuned next week for a new Thursday topic.
A roadmap isn’t a list. It’s a story with stakes.
One of the biggest traps in transformation is treating roadmaps like feature backlogs or PowerPoint wishlists. Too much, too soon, or worse, too abstract to act on.
Here’s the method we use to build roadmaps that actually get funded (and followed).
Start with outcomes, not outputs
Every roadmap needs an anchor. We start by mapping 2–3 clear outcomes: things an exec would brag about, a board would care about, or a team would feel in their day-to-day. Then we work backwards.
That’s the job: translate ambition into steps people want to take.
Phase around value, capability, and risk
Here’s our phasing approach:
Phase 1: MVP — What’s the smallest version of value we can prove?
Phase 2: Fast followers — What expands reach or depth quickly?
Phase 3: Foundations — What infrastructure or change needs to catch up?
Phase 4+: Strategic bets — What becomes possible once we’ve got runs on the board?
This lets stakeholders pace themselves, early wins build confidence, later bets feel earned.
Build investment logic in
We always pair each phase with a case: cost, time, team ask, and what it unlocks. That’s how you shift from "we need $2m" to "here’s $400k to unlock a $4m outcome". Executives back momentum, not moonshots.
And we surface pivot points early. What decision gates matter? What might change the shape of the plan?
Link to delivery appetite, not just ambition
Sequencing isn’t just about tech dependencies, it’s about people. Can your teams absorb the change? Do they have the skills? Is there a rhythm to build around?
A roadmap that ignores this becomes a shelf artefact. One that respects team capacity becomes a north star.
Why it matters
Good sequencing helps you:
De-risk big moves
Win incremental support
Spot blockers before they bite
Tell a crisp, confident story to funders and frontline teams alike
It’s the most underused strategic lever we see.
If your roadmap can’t answer: “What do we get next quarter, and why now?” — it’s not ready.
Want help tightening the plan or building the business case? That’s our bread and butter. Let’s talk.
We Lead Out helps business and government leaders navigate transformation with confidence, starting with the foundations that matter. Reach out to learn more about the trends affecting Australian businesses.
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