Theming, Roadmap & ROI
Purpose
This is where ranked opportunities become a small number of programs leadership can understand, fund, and sequence.
Themes are strategic buckets that group multiple scored opportunities around a shared goal and enabling capability.
This section also covers:
- How themes sequence into a roadmap
- How value is framed for each theme
Inputs
Themes are built from:
- Top-ranked opportunities from scoring
- Repeated patterns across functions
- Shared systems or data foundations
- Leadership priorities surfaced in kickoff
No new ideas are introduced here.
A good theme can support multiple pilots underneath it.
Theme Construction Rules
When grouping opportunities into a theme:
- Anchor on business outcome
- Use plain language
- Prefer existing platforms where possible
- Ensure at least one near-term win
- Avoid mixing unrelated work
If a theme needs more than 5–7 opportunities to explain, it's too broad.
Canonical Theme Table
Each theme is captured using the same structure.
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Program / Theme | Clear, business-readable name |
| Description | What this program does and why |
| ROI Summary | Concise value statement |
| Effort (S/M/L) | Overall lift, not sum of parts |
| Time Horizon | When value starts showing |
| Status / Next Step | Concrete action to start |
| Notes / Owner | Context, assumptions, ownership |
This table is what executives remember.
Example Themes
| Program / Theme | Description | ROI Summary | Effort | Time Horizon | Status / Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowflake for Planning | Extend existing warehouse to include planning inputs and faster refresh | One trusted dataset; less Excel; faster planning decisions | M | 1-2 Qtrs | IT + Ops pilot to increase refresh cadence |
| Finance Copilot & Close Automation | Automate reconciliations, AP/AR matching, and variance explanations | 30-40% reduction in close effort; fewer errors | M | 1 Qtr | Finance pilot; validate data readiness |
| Supplier Automation Hub | Automate supplier forms, audits, and PO acknowledgments | Reduced admin load; fewer missed deadlines | M | 1-2 Qtrs | Procurement pilot; define workflows |
| Digital Plant Pulseboards | Replace manual hourly boards with live dashboards | Real-time visibility; faster issue response | S | 1 Qtr | Single-plant prototype |
Theme Count Discipline
Target: 3–5 themes total
Each theme should feel:
- Distinct
- Actionable
- Defensible
More than 5 themes dilutes focus.
Roadmap Sequencing
Once themes are defined, sequence them into a roadmap.
Sequencing Logic
| Category | Characteristics | When |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Wins | Low effort, visible impact, builds confidence | Now (0-3 months) |
| Foundations | Enables multiple downstream wins | Next (3-6 months) |
| Strategic Bets | Higher effort, transformational potential | Later (6-12 months) |
Dependencies
Order themes by:
- What must exist before others can start
- Where shared enablers unlock multiple wins
- Political and organizational readiness
Example:
"Finance Copilot depends on trusted Snowflake data, so Snowflake for Planning comes first."
ROI & Outcome Framing
Every theme needs a clear value statement. Avoid vague language.
ROI Categories
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Time saved | "30% reduction in monthly close effort" |
| Cost reduced | "Eliminate 2 FTEs of manual reconciliation" |
| Speed gained | "Forecast refresh from weekly to daily" |
| Risk mitigated | "Fewer missed supplier deadlines" |
| Revenue enabled | "Faster quote turnaround" |
Framing Rules
- Anchor to interview quotes where possible
- Use ranges
- Connect to outcomes leadership already cares about
- Be honest about what is measurable versus estimated
Good: "30-40% reduction in close effort based on current manual steps identified."
Bad: "Significant efficiency gains."
Roadmap Visual
The roadmap is typically presented as a simple timeline view:
Now (Q1) Next (Q2) Later (Q3-Q4)
─────────────────────────────────────────────────
[Quick Win A] [Foundation B] [Strategic Bet C]
[Quick Win B] [Foundation C]
Keep it simple. One page. No Gantt charts.
How This Feeds the Final Deck
Themes and roadmap become:
- The backbone of the executive narrative
- The structure of recommendation slides
- The menu of next-step pilots
Executives don't fund rows in spreadsheets. They fund programs with clear sequencing and value.
Success Signal
This step is successful if:
- Each theme clearly ties back to scored opportunities
- Leaders can explain themes in their own words
- Sequencing logic is obvious
- ROI feels grounded
- Owners and next steps are clear
Next step is Deliverables, where themes are packaged into presentation-ready materials.