Strategy Is Not a Document It’s a Practice of Continuous Adaptation
Intro
Good intentions die in the admin. AI won’t write your strategy but used well, it will shrink the friction between “what we want” and “what we shipped.”
Start where risk is lowest
Context: Begin with high-repetition, low-risk tasks so you learn safely and bank quick wins.
Target tasks that are high-repetition and low-risk: drafting from structured data (board or funder updates), summarising long inputs (consultations), routing requests (inboxes) with clear escalation rules.
Definition – DPIA (Data Protection Impact Assessment): a risk assessment used when processing personal data in higher-risk ways, including some AI uses.
The three moves (DAC™)
Context: A small, repeatable rhythm – Discipline, Action, Consistency – that scales value without hype.
Discipline
- Write a one-page AI Use Note per use case (purpose, data allowed, reviewer, retention, escalation, audit trail).
- Keep special category data out of general tools.
Action
- Run two cycles manual vs assisted; measure time saved, clarity, rework, and staff confidence.
- Use explainable drafts – show sources for factual claims.
Consistency
- Hold a weekly 15-minute quality check and a one-line board note each month (“what we used, what changed, issues found”).
- Maintain a prompt & change log.
Case snapshots (composite)
Context: Two brief examples showing time saved, clarity gained, and safeguards working.
- Board packs: time fell from 12 → 4.5 hours/month; trustees said summaries were clearer; funder updates now draft in under an hour.
- Frontline inbox: response time −40%; no automated replies to sensitive cases; weekly edge-case learning improved both prompts and process.
Metrics that prove it works
Context: Measures that leaders and boards actually care about—beyond “time saved.”
- Decision latency (issue → decision)
- Rework rate (% of draft needing major fix)
- Clarity score (1–5) from trustees/staff
- Safeguard catches (flagged escalations)
Human energy (monthly pulse
Risks & UK notes
Context: What to watch in the UK environment so progress stays safe, compliant, and credible.
- Ensure fairness and transparency in AI-assisted drafting; be explicit about human review.
- Track EU AI Act timelines if you operate across the EEA or use EU-regulated services.
- Keep cyber/incident playbooks current and know when to report.
Conclusion
AI narrows the intention–execution gap when it shrinks drag and sharpens judgement. Start tiny. Prove value twice. Scale calmly.
