This presentation was about how small nonprofits should approach technology planning. It also included an ignite session which I uploaded to youtube at:

1. Managing Technology
for Small Orgs
Steve Heye
Manager of Technology
The Cara Program
@steveheye
steveheye.blogspot.com

2. 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

4. Where
do you
think
your
org is?

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

6. 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 Hemispheres
Flickr photo Sergio
Flickr photo pretorianguard

7. Technology Planning
• Look for common questionsproblems
– 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. 8
Strategic
1.Business Process
2.Staff Skills
3.Strategy Begins
Strategic
1.Business Process
2.Staff Skills
3.Strategy Begins
Mission
1.Innovation
2.Impact
Mission
1.Innovation
2.Impact
Tactical
1.Focus is on keeping
things running
2.Network,
Hardware, Software
3.Little to No Strategy
Tactical
1.Focus is on keeping
things running
2.Network,
Hardware, Software
3.Little to No Strategy

9. Make it Happen
Tactical 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

10. Where to start
• Inventory
• Help Desk
• Network Documentation
• Security & Stability
Flickr photo Sergio

11. 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

12. To improve the quality of life for the
residents of our communities through
the integrated delivery of health,
education, and human services.
Our Mission

13. 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

14. Leap of Faith Tech
Program 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

15. What stands in the way?
Flickr photo Floodllama

16. 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

17. Getting past the barriers
Flickr photo Stefan

18. Steps to Refocus Strategy
1. Figure out what core Tech you have.
2. Figure out where you are spending your
money and time
3. Categorize core Tech (Value or Commodity)
4. Review how your efforts, dollars and
strategy are spent
5. Source anything that doesn’t add value
6. Refocus on moving your mission forward

19. Small Org Barrier Resources
No budget TechSoup
Existing Vendors
Donors
No staff Volunteers (Board)
Tech Committee
OUTSOURCE
Shared Resource
No Tech skills Volunteers (Board)
Tech Committee
OUTSOURCE
Shared Resource
NTEN & Community

20. First complete the
Technology capability and
maturity assessment
Available on
steveheye.blogspot.com

21. 1. Create Tech Project request
process
2. Set priorities of requested
projects
3. Identify process, policy and
skill changes needed
4. Determine training, support
and consulting needed
5. Create timeline
NOTE: Involve key stakeholders to begin building
understanding & buy-in for technology 21
Next step - Strategic
Flickr photo pretorianguard

22. 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 NTEN
http://idealware.org/articles/unleashing-innovation-using-everyday-technology-improve-your-
services