Technology planning cannot rely on guesswork or one-off projects. Without a structured strategy, organizations face rising costs, recurring outages, and misalignment with business goals. The MAPS Framework from Sourcepass offers a better way forward.
MAPS stands for Mitigate Risk, Align with Business Goals, Predictability, and Sustained Operations. It transforms IT from a reactive function into a strategic driver of performance and growth. In this guide, we break down each pillar and provide practical checklists to evaluate your current state and plan for the future.
Many businesses invest in tools, systems, and platforms yet still struggle with downtime, budget overages, or user frustration. The problem is rarely technology itself—it’s the lack of an intentional framework.
The MAPS Framework solves this by helping organizations:
Focus on long-term value, not short-term fixes
Connect IT initiatives to measurable business outcomes
Build stable, resilient environments that reduce risk
Improve confidence in planning, budgeting, and execution
Whether you are a growing company or a mid-market enterprise, MAPS brings clarity to complex decisions and creates a roadmap for scalable success.
Objective: Reduce vulnerabilities and protect against disruption.
Modern IT is constantly exposed to cyber threats, compliance demands, and human error. Proactive risk management prevents crises before they occur.
Mitigation Checklist:
Are multi-layered security controls in place?
Are backups tested and validated regularly?
Is cybersecurity training ongoing for staff?
Do you have an incident response and recovery plan?
Are you compliant with industry regulations (HIPAA, CMMC, PCI)?
Key Tools:
IT risk assessments
Security posture audits
Business continuity and disaster recovery plans
Objective: Ensure every IT investment supports business outcomes.
Technology should accelerate strategy—not operate in isolation. Alignment ensures IT resources support expansion, innovation, and operational efficiency.
Alignment Checklist:
Have you defined your top 3–5 business priorities for the next 12–24 months?
Do current IT projects clearly support those priorities?
Are executives and key stakeholders involved in planning?
Are IT success metrics tied to KPIs?
Key Tools:
Strategic IT roadmaps
Stakeholder alignment workshops
VCIO-led planning sessions
Objective: Deliver consistency in operations, timelines, and financial planning.
Unpredictable IT leads to reactive spending, outages, and lost trust. MAPS embeds predictability into change management, budgeting, and scheduling.
Predictability Checklist:
Do you have a 12–24 month roadmap with defined milestones?
Are major upgrades scheduled during low-impact periods?
Are CapEx and OpEx forecasts accurate and approved in advance?
Are users informed ahead of system changes?
Do you measure the impact of changes on productivity?
Key Tools:
Project roadmaps and milestone tracking
Budget forecasting models
Change management communication plans
Objective: Maintain excellence while scaling for growth.
IT environments must be continually optimized to support performance, reliability, and flexibility. Sustained operations keep systems healthy and adaptable.
Sustained Ops Checklist:
Is performance monitored 24/7?
Is the roadmap reviewed and updated regularly?
Is your support model adaptive to business demands?
Can infrastructure scale with projected growth?
Are you tracking IT performance and satisfaction?
Key Tools:
Managed or co-managed IT services
24/7 NOC monitoring
Strategic reviews and roadmap updates
The MAPS approach brings structure and foresight to technology strategy. It replaces reactive “break/fix” cycles with intentional planning and measurable outcomes.
MAPS empowers organizations to:
Plan ahead with confidence
Avoid costly surprises and disruptions
Maximize return on IT investments
Deliver better experiences for users and customers
It’s more than an IT model—it’s a business performance strategy.
Not sure where your organization stands? Begin with a Sourcepass IT & Security Scorecard. This assessment identifies strengths, gaps, and priority areas across all four MAPS pillars—laying the groundwork for a smarter technology plan.
> Request Your Free Scorecard Assessment
Explore real-world planning strategies and leadership insights in our on-demand webinar featuring Sourcepass executives.
> Watch the Strategic Technology Planning Webinar
The MAPS Framework is an IT planning model focused on Mitigating Risk, Aligning with Business Goals, Predictability, and Sustained Operations to build long-term technology success.
C-level leaders, IT executives, and operations teams who need clarity, stability, and a roadmap that connects IT investments to measurable outcomes.
By providing accurate forecasting, fixed-cost structures where possible, and long-term visibility into infrastructure and support needs.
Yes. MAPS is scalable and applies to any organization seeking proactive planning, risk reduction, and better alignment between IT and business goals.
Start with a scorecard assessment, participate in a planning workshop, and build your roadmap guided by the MAPS pillars.