7 Phases of Blockchain Implementation

Ready to launch a blockchain project? Not so fast. Before you get started, you’ll want to make sure you know how to take a blockchain project from start to finish. CompTIA’s Blockchain Advisory Council has developed an infographic to help technology and business professionals better understand the seven phases of blockchain implementation. Blockchain Council Infographic_HTML PAGE

Phase 1: Learn

Ensure everyone in your organization understands blockchain.

  • Review recent research, business use cases and case studies.

Phase 2: Strategize

Integrate blockchain strategies into your business strategy.

Phase 3: Make the Case

Ensure key stakeholders understand the business case for blockchain transformation.

  • Define transformational impacts, including markets, customers, organization, business processes, and suppliers.
  • Identify a priority area for blockchain transformation.
  • Identify returns and high-level costs.
  • Create an ROI model.

Phase 4: Plan

Strategic and tactical roadmaps will provide insight to the timing and requirements of each step to implementation.

Consider front and backend requirements, including:

  • Technology selection: permissioned vs. public blockchain
  • Buy vs. build 
  • Business process redesign
  • Organizational impacts
  • Change management
  • Risk management
  • Governance model
  • Timeline and cost

Phase 5: Pilot

Pilot a process—or proof of concept (PoC)—in your business that will deliver results and provide key learnings.

  • Validate results.
  • Finalize your roadmap and business case.
  • Define implementation model.
  • Assign resources.
  • Create blockchain implementation plan and protocols.
  • Create blockchain sustainment plan, including determining if you will implement a “blockchain as a service” (BAAS) model or not.
  • Finalize governance model.

Phase 6: Implement

Blockchain implementation is a multi-year transformational process.

End-to-end implementation should include the following:

  • Interface with supplier and customer systems (if applicable)
  • Change management
  • Organizational redesign
  • Disintermediation process
  • Expansion to transactional processes
  • Sustainment plan
  • Governance model changes

Phase 7: Grow the Network

Take what you have learned and leverage it with your customers, partners, and suppliers for exponential value.

  • Validate results.
  • Develop additional upstream and downstream roadmaps.
  • Continue disintermediation process.
  • Enforce process for blockchain updates (i.e., core chain code updates).
  • Define long term impact to business model.

Additional Blockchain Resources

7 Myths About Blockchain Busted

Blockchain Terminology

Blockchain Decision Tree