For many executives, launching an AI strategy can feel daunting. The landscape shifts quickly, risks are real and resources are limited. The good news: you don’t have to solve everything at once. A structured 90-day plan can build alignment, reduce risk and create momentum.
Read: From Theory to Impact: 5 Real AI Use Cases for Mid-Size Companies
Step 1: Align at the Executive Level (Days 1–30)
AI isn’t just an IT project — it’s a business initiative. Start by getting executives aligned so AI efforts map directly to strategic priorities rather than becoming fragmented or siloed.
What to do in the first month:
– Hold an executive workshop to discuss opportunities and risks, focusing on business outcomes rather than technology alone.
– Define priorities: pick two or three areas where AI can deliver quick, meaningful impact (improving customer experience, cutting costs, strengthening cybersecurity, etc.).
– Assign an executive sponsor for each priority to ensure accountability and visibility at the leadership table.
Step 2: Assess Your Readiness (Days 1–45)
Before deploying models or tools, understand your starting point. Often the real constraint isn’t models but data — its quality, accessibility and security.
Key areas to assess:
– Data environment: Where does data reside? Is it clean, accessible and well-governed?
– Cybersecurity posture: Are protections in place to safely adopt AI without creating new vulnerabilities?
– Current AI usage: Audit shadow AI and experimentation across the company to establish a baseline and surface risks.
Read: Does AI Help or Hurt Cybersecurity?
Step 3: Launch Pilot Projects (Days 30–60)
With alignment and readiness in place, run small, high-impact pilots to prove value and build confidence. Quick wins demonstrate that AI delivers tangible business results today.
How to choose pilots:
– Low risk, high visibility: Select initiatives that won’t compromise compliance or security but will show clear benefits.
– Define ROI metrics up front: Measure success by time saved, errors reduced, customer satisfaction, revenue uplift, etc.
– Ensure cross-functional ownership: Combine IT, data and business leaders to drive adoption and accountability.
Step 4: Establish Guardrails (Days 45–75)
Governance enables safe innovation. Set practical policies and controls early so adoption scales without creating liabilities.
What to implement:
– Usage policies: Clarify permissible employee use of AI tools and restrictions on sensitive data.
– Approval processes: Require oversight for new AI platforms or vendor engagements.
– Security and awareness training: Teach staff how to avoid exposing confidential information to public models and how to recognize AI-related risks.
Step 5: Build Your Roadmap (Days 60–90)
By day 90 you should have alignment, a clear view of readiness, successful pilots and initial guardrails. The next step is scaling with purpose.
Next steps:
– Evaluate pilot outcomes and refine those that worked.
– Prioritize initiatives to expand across the organization.
– Create a measurable, business-aligned roadmap for the next 6–18 months and communicate wins broadly to build momentum.
Launch an AI Strategy with Cytranet
The first 90 days are not about perfection; they’re about starting small, acting strategically and creating momentum. Cytranet has helped mid-size companies in Minnesota and Florida navigate major technology shifts—from cloud migrations to enterprise-grade cybersecurity. As Fractional CIOs, we focus on practical, business-led AI adoption: align leadership, secure your data, run focused pilots and scale safely.
Request a consultation now.
