Strategy Solutions

Strategic Initiatives & Data Roadmap for CIB Debt Products

Challenge

An APAC-based universal bank sought leadership to define and implement a multi-year strategy and continuous improvement roadmap for its Corporate and Institutional Banking (CIB) Debt Products division.

The team’s remit spanned Lending, Trade, Asset Finance, and Structured Finance, requiring alignment between business strategy, regulatory deliverables, and data-driven funding models.

Key challenges included:

• Fragmented data and process visibility across lending and trade systems.

• Absence of a unified roadmap linking product strategy with technology and data initiatives.

• Difficulty in quantifying value to secure internal funding and executive prioritization.

• Need for end-to-end stakeholder alignment across Operations, Technology, Risk, and Product teams.

Solution

Harmonic applied a Strategic Initiatives Framework that fused strategic planning, business analysis, and data governance to drive CIB Debt Products modernization.

• Vision & Roadmap Definition

  • Partnered with business heads to define a three-year transformation vision integrating business growth goals with operational efficiency and compliance objectives.

  • Built product-specific roadmaps (Lending, Trade, Asset Finance, Structured Finance) with measurable milestones and KPIs.

• Strategic Initiative Portfolio

  • Developed a portfolio prioritization matrix ranking initiatives by strategic value, regulatory urgency, and resource intensity.

  • Embedded a funding model aligned to business cases with ROI and benefit realization plans.

• Data-Driven Business Case Modelling

  • Established data capture standards for lending and trade workflows to strengthen financial projections.

  • Used historical performance data and forecast models to articulate quantifiable funding benefits for investment committee approval.

• Cross-Functional Delivery Alignment

  • Coordinated SME input from Lending, Trade, and Technology teams to ensure end-to-end traceability between business requirements, solution design, and test strategy.

  • Reviewed SteerCo and PAG packs to validate alignment between product objectives and delivery milestones.

• Change and Handover Governance

  • Created structured handover plans from program delivery to product and operations teams, ensuring sustainability of transformation outcomes.

  • Embedded change management, communications, and KPI tracking into the delivery lifecycle.

Key Deliverables

• CIB Debt Products Strategic Roadmap (3-Year Plan)

• Initiative Prioritization Framework and Governance Model

• Business Case and Funding Model Templates

• SteerCo Reporting Pack Design and Performance Dashboard

• Cross-Functional Delivery Playbook (from Business Requirements to Handover)

Client Benefits

• Clear strategic roadmap unifying all Debt Product lines under a shared vision.

• Data-driven business cases securing funding approval for high-value initiatives.

• Improved efficiency through prioritization of initiatives aligned to business goals.

• Enhanced collaboration between business, technology, and operations stakeholders.

• Sustainable delivery through repeatable frameworks and clear accountability mapping.