IT Strategy analysis - Anthony Triangle

Welcome to my first blog post. I trust you will forgive any slip-ups I may make in the next few posts as I get accustomed to the process. I look forward to interacting with an many readers as possible. So let me begin......


What are the tools you are using to show business the technology strategy into the future! These tools should be available for use, both as an analysis tool and an output or presentation to business users.

I have found that the Anthony Triangle is an excellent tool to identify the future business systems requirements, as well as mapping the current state of the information environment. You can easily show where you are and were you want to be from an information perspective without getting caught up in the details of the applications and technical architecture requirements.

As an analysis tool it allows you to plot applications against the business functionality required, at a strategic, tactical, operational and knowledge level. In some instances you may choose to ignore the information requirements from a technical and business perspective, for example at a strategic level an application of a technical nature may not exist to satisfy the requirement. It may require an an analysts mind to mine data or a CEO to apply their knowledge to the task.

Has anyone found a suitable tool, with the exception of Excel, for creating an Anthony Triangle? While Excel will suffice it is a cumbersome and not very attractive method of creating such a diagram.

I have been searching for such a tool, but to date have not found a suitable candidate. I would be interested to hear if anyone has any another tool that they use which they believe is more suitable than the Anthony Triangle. Another option I have personally considered, is the use of a radar or spider diagram to plot current and future positions. The problem with this is that it does not allow me to map applications against the business requirement.

I have gone as far as commissioning one of my developers to come up with a solution but to date he has not had any time to dedicate to this. Would be even better if i could get one for my iPad - in omnigraffle perhaps!

For those who are not familiar with Anthony Triangle I attach an example below used for a consulting company.

If anyone would like to discuss this in more detail you are welcome to contact me. You can also add vertical lines to each of the departments and add the application names.