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Hi Dave. I usually recommend that a nonprofit's technology plan look out into the same distance of the future as their strategic plan. If their strategic plan looks three years out, then so should their technology plan. The reason is that a nonprofit's technology plan is not just about the operations of an agency, but about having the best,
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I think the danger in discussing funding for technology is that by separating it out as a stand alone topic, it inadvertently makes it seem as if the organization seeking funding is making technology a goal. The problem is that there is no such thing as a technology goal, only organizational goals. Technology is a strategy for achieving organizational
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Hi I'm Joni Podolsky, Program Director of Wired for Good at the Center for Excellence in Nonprofits in San Jose, CA. I was asked by Laura and George to join in this discussion because of the work we do helping Silicon Valley nonprofits strategically use technology to improve their effectiveness. Our approach to focusing on organizational mission
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I think all the replies make excellent points. An additional point I would make is that a main reason to do a technology plan is to determine how technology can improve your business strategies and/or processes. Without doing this, it's difficult to justify why you need computers in the first place. As others have said in their replies, it becomes
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The only thing I would add to the above excellent advice is to create shared learning opportunities whenever possible. For example, When researching particular technological solutions try and bring 2-3 people from the team. Look for workshops, conferences, or other opportunities for learning. Sometimes I've found the planning goes easier when you
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Usually, I've seen technology planning begin with a gripe--or many gripes--from staff, clients, board members, etc. These complaints aren't necessarily about technology. Often they are about the difficulty of getting something done. Someone may offer a technological solution for the gripe-causing process (i.e. a client service database to improve