Each summer, the Tour de France captures global attention – not just because of the athleticism on display, but because of the strategy, stamina, and smarts it takes to compete across more than 2,000 miles. Winning a single stage might be a thrill. But winning the whole race? That takes a ton of long-term thinking and planning. The same holds true for technology strategy.
Sprints Are Easy to Celebrate. Strategy is Harder – and More Valuable.
In a world that prioritizes speed and disruption, it's tempting to treat every tech initiative as a sprint. New platform? Launch it quickly. Workflow broken? Patch it and move on. New AI tool? Implement immediately or get left behind.
But lasting impact doesn't come from one-off launches or quick fixes. It comes from the kind of long-haul planning that prioritizes alignment, sustainability, and smart execution over time.
The yellow jersey, which is awarded to the rider with the lowest cumulative time across all stages, isn't won with one great day. It's won through consistent performance, smart pacing, and the ability to adapt to changing terrain.
Build for the Hills, Not Just the Highlights
The Tour de France route isn't flat, and neither is your organization's growth. There are mountain stages (major transitions), time trials (urgent decisions), and windy roads that require steady coordination across teams.
Tech strategy needs to account for all of it:
- Will that new tool still work as your team scales?
- Are your data and knowledge structures built to weather staff turnovers?
- Do your systems support both your current workflows and where you're headed?
It's not about having the flashiest tech stack – it's about having one that's built to last, evolve, and serve your mission over time.
Don't Underestimate the Support Team
Behind every cyclist in the yellow jersey is a team of riders, coaches, analysts, and mechanics, all working behind the scenes. The same is true for digital ecosystems.
Great outcomes are almost always the result of quiet, behind-the-scenes strategy: clearly defined roles, documented knowledge, thoughtful governance, and a plan that doesn't fall apart when one key person leaves.
That's not something you get from a sprint. That's something you build, stage by stage.
The Long Game is the Smart Game
If your organization is investing in new platforms, thinking about automation, or experimenting with AI, remember: tools come and go. But the clarity and confidence you build by taking the long view – that sticks!
Whether you're leading tech decisions internally or advising others, keep this in mind: the winners of the Tour de France don't always look like they're winning in every moment. But they're playing the right game. And in the long run, that's what gets them to the Champs-Élysées.
