Steps to build an engineering strategy

Overview
This article presents a structured five-step framework for building an engineering strategy. It explains how each step-Explore, Diagnose, Refine, Policy, and Operate-feeds into the next, helping teams avoid common pitfalls and develop actionable, community-driven strategies.

Key Takeaways

• A repeatable process reduces the risk of skipping critical strategic steps.
• Exploration gathers industry ideas and recent research to inform your approach.
• Diagnosis clarifies the problem before any solution is attempted.
• Refinement validates ideas using techniques such as strategy testing, systems modeling, and Wardley mapping.
• Policy translates validated ideas into concrete decisions about architecture, reviews, and headcount.
• Operations implements policies through nudges, meetings, and other mechanisms.

Who Would Benefit

• Engineering leaders and directors responsible for setting technical direction.
• Engineering managers looking for a clear roadmap to develop strategy.
• Senior architects and senior engineers involved in high-level decision making.
• Product leaders who need to align technical strategy with business goals.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• Five-step engineering strategy framework (Explore, Diagnose, Refine, Policy, Operate).
• Strategy testing, systems modeling, and Wardley mapping as validation techniques.