Five Tech Considerations for FY26

As FY26 kicks off in Australia, many leaders are reflecting on recent challenges and what lies ahead.

Over the past six months, I’ve spoken with a range of CIOs, CTOs, and executives who have shared common themes that are worth noting.

Here are five things to keep in mind as you navigate the year ahead, particularly in terms of your tech considerations.

1. Project Overhangs and Learnings

Many organisations are carrying unfinished or under-delivered projects into the new financial year. It’s important to acknowledge these openly. Rather than dwell, conduct a retrospective to extract what went wrong and what can be improved. Then, embed those learnings into your planning for FY26 - this sets the tone for performance and progress.

2. Data-Driven Sustainability

Sustainability is no longer a side initiative. With changing Australian Director Standards, data to support Sustainability operations is becoming critical. Leaders must ensure their organisations are not only collecting the right data but also using it to make credible progress and remain compliant. Now is the time to get in front of this shift.

3. Resourcing Realignment

There’s a noticeable lag in backfilling roles. With a tightening economy and emerging needs from evolving technologies, traditional organisational structures are being tested. While a major reorganisation may not be needed, resource shuffling toward priority areas is essential. Be deliberate and flexible in how people are deployed.

4. Shorter Strategic Horizons

Gone are the days of long-term, fixed strategies. Many organisations are adopting shorter planning cycles, with clear outcomes in mind for each stage. This staged approach allows for agility amid global uncertainty and forms a strong foundation for what comes next.

5. The Expanding CIO and CTO Mandate

The scope of responsibility for technology leaders continues to grow - from digital initiatives to IT operations and now sustainability reporting. This breadth is stretching already limited resources. Leaders must be realistic about what can be delivered and where focus is truly needed.

At the start of each financial year, I run workshops that bring clarity and alignment across teams. If these themes resonate with you, let’s talk, email me here.

The year ahead offers both challenge and opportunity - it’s how we prepare that makes the difference.