Strategic Digital Architecture
Course Description
Digital tools and automation offer significant opportunities for growth, but without a clear strategy they often increase complexity rather than create value. This course is designed to help founders and SME leaders turn digital transformation into a structured, measurable business advantage.
Participants will learn how to diagnose operational inefficiencies across core business processes, identify where manual work erodes margins, and uncover opportunities for automation and integration. The course provides a practical framework for connecting tools through APIs, eliminating data silos, and creating real-time visibility across operations.
Beyond technology selection, the module focuses on strategic planning and governance. Participants will design a phased technology roadmap aligned with business growth, define roles and responsibilities for implementation, and model the financial impact of their decisions. Special attention is given to translating technical initiatives into clear business language, enabling participants to build a compelling, board-ready pitch deck that demonstrates return on investment and risk management.
Through hands-on workshops and concrete deliverables, participants will leave with a clear automation strategy, an integration blueprint tailored to their organisation, and a persuasive investment case ready to be presented to stakeholders or board members.
Course Content
Day | Content |
1 | Process Diagnostic: Process taxonomy, API-first architecture, mapping core workflows, creating automation backlog. |
2 | Tools & Integration: 3-Layer Architecture Stack, selectin best-in-class tools, designing data flows and API connections |
3 | Governance & ROI: Implementation roadmap, RACI/SLAs, financial modeling, board-ready pitch design |
Learning Outcomes
- Diagnose operational inefficiency, identify manual processes that erode margins and slow growth
- Connect tools via integration, eliminate data silos and enable real-time operational visibility
- Design a phased technology roadmap, build implementation strategy aligned with business growth
- Build an IT financial model and board-ready pitch deck with ROI
Practical Work
- Map core workflows (acquisition ==> Sales ==> fulfillment ==> payment ==> support )
- Create Process Automation Map and Automation Backlog
- Design SaaS + API Integration Blueprint
- Build Budget Model and Board-Ready Pitch Deck
Deliverables
- Process Automation Map + Automation Backlog
- Data Requirements Schema + Data Connectivity Matrix
- Tools + Integration Blueprint + Real-Time Data Flow Diagram
- Implementation Roadmap + RACI Matrix + SLAs
- Board-Ready Pitch Deck
Target Audience:
Founders, CEOs, COOs, and business leaders looking to transform their digital infrastructure. SME decision-makers seeking to build a compelling business case for technological investment.
No prerequisites
Trainer
Valentin Dirken is founder of ShieldRock Technologies, building autonomous systems for emergency response under the 'Zero-Failure Imperative.' With experience advising C-level leaders at Deloitte on digital transformation, he brings deep expertise to high-stakes environments such as real-time operations, financial services, and public sector. Electrical engineer with an advanced master in finance (SBS), he also teaches IT Strategy at Solvay Brussels School.
Price
Thanks to the support of the European Commission and Innoviris in the framework of the EDIH sustAIn.brussels, SMEs and midcaps receive this training free of charge (0€), in the context of de minimis aid. Large companies and participants without a company pay 3067€ per participant.
Practical Information:
Language : English (Bilingual exchanges FR/EN welcome)
Location: BeCentral, Cantersteen 12, 1000 Brussels.
Format: In person, interactive, hands-on.
Participants: Max 18 participants.
Duration: 12 hours (over 3 days)
Questions:
Yavuz Sarikaya - Programme Manager