Initiative Canvas — Template¶
Version: 1.1.0 | Licence: CC BY 4.0
Purpose: Summarise the case for an initiative in a concise, decision-oriented format.
When to use: During discovery and before an initiative mandate or material portfolio decision. Revisit it when the outcome, scope, cost, dependencies or assumptions change.
How to use: Complete the problem and outcome first; compare realistic options, including defer or do nothing; identify mandatory obligations separately from discretionary choices; name the accountable roles; and make the requested decision and evidence explicit. Do not present estimates or targets as measured results.
Related materials: Executive Playbook, Weighted Scoring Matrix, Decision Record. See the fictional completed example.
Problem and outcome¶
- Problem / opportunity:
- Users or service affected:
- Strategic outcome:
- Baseline, source and date:
- Target outcome and date:
Options and recommendation¶
| Option | Expected value | Cost / capacity | Risks / dependencies | Reversibility | Evidence / confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defer / do nothing | |||||
| Process / operating change | |||||
| Reuse / buy / build / partner |
- Recommended option and rationale:
- Why alternatives are not preferred:
Mandate and ownership¶
- Executive sponsor:
- Initiative lead:
- Service owner:
- Benefit owner:
- Decision authority and required-by date:
Delivery and lifecycle¶
- Scope / exclusions:
- Milestones and acceptance evidence:
- Skills and capacity:
- Architecture, security, privacy and procurement assurance:
- Operations, support and service transition:
- Adoption and change plan:
Controls and benefits¶
- Lifecycle cost / estimate to complete:
- Mandatory obligations (separate from scoring):
- Key dependencies, owners and responses:
- Risks and assumptions:
- Tolerances and forecast-based escalation triggers:
- KPIs and benefit profiles:
- Decision requested, conditions and review trigger: