Technology Planning for Small Orgs (at Nonprofits in Motion 2014 conference)

Managing Technology for Small Orgs

Steve HeyeManager of TechnologyThe Cara [email protected]

Agenda

1. Small org approach to tech planning 2. Common excuses 3. Tactics to overcome excuses 4. Tools, resources and next steps 5. Open Q&A

Where do you think your

org is?

You might be thinking to yourself…all of the this tech planning talk is too much for me.

Let’s simplify.

Enterprise Applications

Business Applications

Core Business Support

Desktop / Laptop

Infrastructure Management

Help Desk

Servers / Network

E-Mail

• Patch Mgmt • Upgrades • Anti-Virus • Asset Tracking

• Password Reset • “How to”• Equipment failures

• Fault Mgmt • Performance Mgmt • Configuration • Upgrades

• SPAM• Upgrades

Value

Commodity

Tactical

Technology HemispheresTechnology Hemispheres

Flickr photo Sergio

Flickr photo pretorianguard

Technology Planning

• Look for common questions\problems– Document mgmt, data, slow computers, etc.

• Identify themes– Security, innovation, reporting, stability,

communications, collaboration, etc.

• Mission Impact– Get input from the people you serve or look to

others in your field

7

8

Strategic1.Business Process2.Staff Skills3.Strategy Begins

Strategic1.Business Process2.Staff Skills3.Strategy Begins

Mission1.Innovation2.Impact

Mission1.Innovation2.Impact

Tactical1.Focus is on keeping things running2.Network, Hardware, Software3.Little to No Strategy

Tactical1.Focus is on keeping things running2.Network, Hardware, Software3.Little to No Strategy

Make it HappenTactical Strategic Mission

Planning Tech Plan = Focus on a solid foundation (network, hardware & software) for efficiency

Operations Plan = Integrate tools, people and process to improve effectiveness

Org Strategic Plan = Align technology and innovate to make an impact & add value

Implementing Focus on IT, stability & basic support

Cross Departmental, build collaboration & skills

Change program/ service delivery & organization culture

Budgeting Replace & upgrade based on software/hardware inventory, build IT skills

Include process improvement, training and support

Allow for experimentation, innovation and technology fund

Infrastructure Infrastructure& Operations

9

Where to start

• Inventory• Help Desk• Network Documentation• Security & Stability

Flickr photo Sergio

Where to start – back one step

Training• Tactical Tech Training

from Idealware• Nonprofit Tech Academy

from NTEN• Alison• Lynda

Books• Accidental Techie

from CompassPoint• Managing Technology to

Meet your Mission from NTEN

Flickr photo clement127

To improve the quality of life for the residents of our communities through

the integrated delivery of health, education, and human services.

Our Mission

Leap of Faith Tech

Basic Tech:• Google Voice – Phone • Mobile Citizen – Clear

modem for Internet• Netbook and Printer –

donated Netbook & printer, rest is built around BYOD.

• Quickbooks – Finance • Google apps with Gmail –

Email & Intranet• Doodle – find meeting

availability

Marketing & Communications• WordPress on Dreamhost –

Website • Google AdWords Grant • Dropbox – Website Back up• PayPal – Online Donations• Facebook page• MailChimp – email blast• Remind 101 for text blasts

Leap of Faith TechProgram Management• Studio Director – Class Mgmt. &

Online Reg. • Tututix – ticket sales• Curtain Call – dancewear plus

shoes• Evite – occasional free event• More Than Great Dancing -an

affiliation of Dance Studios they use for management, marketing, curriculum and lots of other resources.

Donor Management• DonorPath – provides more

than donor software, they are providing support, guidance and resources to help make them a success.

• PayPal – Online Donations• Square – Credit Card

Processing

What stands in the way?

Flickr photo Floodllama

Small Org Barrier Small Org Opportunity

No budget Qualify for more donations, discounted licenses, opportunity to seek funding

No staff Less people to convince, less bureaucracy, less licenses needed, less time to implement change

No Tech skills Less biases and assumptions to overcome, allows you to make an honest plea for support

Getting past the barriers

Flickr photo Stefan

Steps to Refocus Strategy

1. Figure out what core Tech you have.2. Figure out where you are spending your

money and time3. Categorize core Tech (Value or Commodity)4. Review how your efforts, dollars and

strategy are spent5. Source anything that doesn’t add value6. Refocus on moving your mission forward

Small Org Barrier Resources

No budget TechSoupExisting VendorsDonors

No staff Volunteers (Board) Tech CommitteeOUTSOURCEShared Resource

No Tech skills Volunteers (Board) Tech CommitteeOUTSOURCEShared Resource NTEN & Community

First complete the Technology capability and

maturity assessment

Available on steveheye.blogspot.com

1. Create Tech Project request process2. Set priorities of requested projects 3. Identify process, policy and skill

changes needed 4. Determine training, support and

consulting needed5. Create timeline

NOTE: Involve key stakeholders to begin building understanding & buy-in for technology 21

Next step - Strategic

Flickr photo pretorianguard

Unleash Innovation

• Understand your Needs• Know what Tech is Available• Connecting the Needs• Make the Change Happen• What Success Looks Like

From an article written with MAP for Nonprofits, Idealware and NTENhttp://idealware.org/articles/unleashing-innovation-using-everyday-technology-improve-your-services