How to Build a Tech Vision. A Step-by-Step Approach

Every vision, be it for a company, product, or any other initiative, is a very powerful tool because:

• Sketches a potential future state, something that will possibly materialize years ahead.  
• Drives alignment by clearly defining the long-term direction.
• Acts as a powerful decision-making framework.  
• Creates engagement, boosts motivation, and inspires people.
• Stays relevant. It is not carved in stone but can occasionally be adjusted to reflect a new reality. 
• Promotes clarity. It is designed to be easy to understand so that everyone can grasp its true meaning without ambiguity. 

This holds true for a tech vision as well.

While the product vision paints a picture of the product's desired future state, the tech vision describes the evolution of the underlying system. Crafting a tech vision comes with its own set of challenges but here’s the approach I adopted (and refined) more than a few times and that made this journey a lot easier:

Step 1. Setting the stage

Step 2. Assemble the “tech vision team”

Step 3. The first draft

Step 4. Find the right abstraction level

Step 5. Keep the audience in mind

Step 6. Consider the human factor

Step 1. Setting the stage. 

A tech vision is not crafted in a vacuum. It is routed into a deep understanding of the product vision and the broader business needs. This framing defines the “why” and offers the context that engineering teams might sometimes lack. A comprehensive framing requires a broader perspective that usually lies outside the engineering team. For this reason, collecting inputs from multiple stakeholders is crucial.

Pro-tip. Only engage with the stakeholders you believe can provide valuable insights. That will increase the effectiveness and reduce the noise (quality over quantity).

Step 2. Assemble the “tech vision team”. 

The tech vision is the result of collaborative work where engineers with different levels of expertise and seniority gather together toward a common goal. Assembling the ideal team can be tricky. It’s a juggling act between diverse perspectives and efficient decision-making. Technical skills should not be the only parameter to consider.  Enthusiasm, passion, and genuine interest are very important also. 

Pro-tip. I often form teams by directly approaching some members and then opening the floor for volunteers. Clear communication and transparency about expectations are key to making everyone aware of what they're signing up for.

Step 3. The first draft. 

Starting from scratch can be tough. I experienced situations where overcoming the initial inertia was so hard that it took a while before ideas started to pop up. Some other times, there was so much energy in the room that it was extremely hard to channel all insights and opinions in a structured way. The key takeaway is to always come prepared. There are many workshop formats and facilitation techniques available but it fundamentally boils down to having extremely clear in mind the questions that the team needs to tackle:

‍How should the system evolve to support the overall company vision and strategy? 

• What are the current limiting factors and how can we overcome them? (present)
• What technologies should we leverage? (future)
• What can we learn from past mistakes? (past)

Pro-tip. The tech vision workshop is not supposed to be a surprise party. Share in advance agenda, workshop goals, and all relevant readings to make the discussion more effective and efficient.

Step 4. Find the right abstraction level. 

This step is all about striking the right balance. If too granular, the vision risks becoming an architectural blueprint or, worse, a mere implementation guide. If it's too abstract and “fluffy”, it becomes intangible with no actionable insights.

 Pro-tip. Consider the following questions to understand if your vision needs further refinement: 

• Can this vision guide technical decisions? If not, it might be too vague. 
• Does this vision leave enough room to make decisions? If not, it's likely too detailed.

Step 5. Keep the audience in mind.

The tech vision should provide a technical direction but is not meant for tech gurus only! It is a tool for the whole company. It should speak to tech and non-tech people and help everyone understand the overall technical direction.

Pro Tip. While working on the vision, continuously gather feedback from diverse teams. Their input will help you find the right narrative and formulation. 

Step 6. Consider the human factor. 

Beyond the system description, the tech vision can integrate other perspectives. Productivity, well-being, satisfaction, etc., or the developer experience in general (as described by DORA or SPACE for example) can definitely be part of the vision. 

 Pro-tip. The easiest, fastest, and most accurate way to get the pulse of the development experience is to listen to engineers’ pain points and directly experience their daily challenges.

To summarize

The tech vision is the result of a deeply collaborative process that requires the involvement of different parts of the organization. By weaving together technological, business, and human perspectives, it becomes a very powerful tool for the whole company. Crafting such a vision is not an easy journey, it demands high dedication and commitment. I strongly advise embarking on this journey only if there is a strong and genuine intent to harness its full potential.

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