strategic technology planning for nonprofits 2009 pacific northwest digital inclusion summit david...

Strategic Technology Planning for Nonprofits

2009 Pacific Northwest Digital Inclusion SummitDavid Forrester

January 28, 2009

2NPower Seattle | Proprietary and Confidential | Not for Distribution

Agenda1. About NPower2. Overview of strategic technology planning

process3. Next steps: toward tech vision4. Small steps: assessment5. Next steps: scan


About NPower

Introduction

NPower works to build healthier, more vibrant and sustainable communities by leveraging the transformative power of information technology.

Since 1999, we have helped more than 24,000 nonprofit organizations use IT to achieve their goals.

Photo: Dean Johnson, http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanj/2398424227/


About NPower

Technology Pyramid

Technology Constrained

Stable and Secure

Efficient and Effective

•Computers/networks frequently crash•Outdated software and hardware•Often deal with virus or back-up emergencies

•Hardware/software up to date•Anti-viral software, frequent back-ups•Internal network to share documents and data

•Use technology to conduct “nonprofit business”•Proficient in client tracking, fundraising, communication uses; integrated data•Tying to evaluations/outcomes

Innovative

•Technology directly tied to providing services

•Advances organization’s mission


Technology Planning Process

Overview

Implement Projects

Staff & Vendors

4

ED & Board

1

Appoint PlanningTeam

Evaluate Results (+/-)

5

ED & Board

XYZ’s Technology Plan

• Organizational Overview

• Organizational Vision

• Technology Assessment

• Technology Projects

• Technology Budget

• Implementation Schedule

• Evaluation Criteria

CreateTech Plan

Tech Planning Team

2

+ $Approve &

Fund the Plan

Board ofDirectors

3



Create a Tech Plan

Technology PlanningTechnology Planning

• Planning Team identification

• Stakeholder analysis

• Kick-off meeting

InitiationInitiation VisioningVisioning ApprovalApprovalDefinitionDefinitionAssessmentAssessment

• Review of business goals and key work processes

• Pain points identification

• Peers and potential technologies discovery

• Technology research

• Recommendations development

• Project definition, scoping and budgeting

• Document development

• Draft plan review• Stakeholder

presentations• Evaluation

criteria• Final publication

• Hardware and software inventory

• Tech skills audit survey

• Staff interviews• Gap and

opportunity analysis

Identifies pain points and root causes of technology challenges

Identifies high impact IT projects that can increase capacity

Aligns multi-year technology budgets with prioritized projects and operational improvements

Simplifies fundraising for technology

Value Proposition



Progressive Elaboration


Projected IT Costs as a Percentage of Annual Budget

0.0%2.0%4.0%6.0%8.0%

Total annualimpact ofprojects as apercentage ofannual budget

Ongoing IT costswithoutincrementalproject costs


Plan Approval


Small Steps

Stable & Secure Assessment

● What? Establish minimum standards for nonprofit IT

Infrastructure

● Why? – Dual Intent Provide guidance to nonprofit in areas needing

improvements

−Pass/Fail report−Clear recommendations and targets

State of nonprofit technology in the region

−Measure progress of nonprofits in tech literacy

−Consistent method of measurement


Small Steps

Stable & Secure Benchmarks

● Vetted by internal staff & external security experts In both nonprofit and for-profit sectors

● Tested on technology students for ease-of-use, language

Photo: grampymoose, http://www.flickr.com/photos/grampymoose/841863276/


Small Steps

The Benchmarks

1. Minimum PC Configurations

2. Standard OS for Workstations and Server

3. Appropriate Network Environment

4. Reliable Internet Broadband Connection

5. Hardware Firewall Installed

6. Wireless Networks Secured

7. Backup and recovery for

mission critical data

8. Email protection

9. Secure Internet Browsing

10. Strong Password Policies

11. Documentation

12. Know How/Tech Support


Small Steps

Reflect

● Failure to meet these standards can lead to frequent system instability, security breaches, and a general lack of performance and productivity.

● How do you think your organization would measure up?


Small Steps

The Tool

www.TechAtlas.org

TechAtlas is an online technology tool for nonprofits. Some features are available free. The Stable and Secure Assessment is available as one of the free components.


Small Steps

The Tool

TechAtlas automatically generates results and recommendations

Example:Benchmark 8 – Email Protection

Email must be protected against viruses and phishing attacks. Email Benchmark NOT Attained: Train your staff on identifying

and dealing with phishing messages.

● Recommendations Include Rationale Special Considerations Suggested Steps Resources


Small Steps

2007 Findings

The good news: broadband ubiquity and improved networking

The bad news: everything else

Indiana Seattle

34 organizations assessed 117 organizations assessed

Failed one or more benchmarks: 97%Failed three or more benchmarks: 65%Failed four or more benchmarks: 41%

Failed one or more benchmarks: 95%Failed three or more benchmarks: 69%Failed four or more benchmarks: 48%


Small Steps

2007 Findings

1. Majority of nonprofits still have antiquated technology Outdated operating system software Old hardware in use on some of their machines

2. Security strategies of most nonprofits are insufficient Networks, data, and users exposed to risk Especially true of email

3. Many nonprofits in region do not have readily accessible documentation about their IT infrastructure


Next Steps

Perform a Scan

Contact your IT resourceSign up for www.TechAtlas.orgGather your inventory via either:

Tech Atlas; not free but an enhanced featureSpiceworks, freeBelarc, freeWinaudit, free

Conduct your own Stable and Secure Assessment or, if you are near an NPower, drop us a line….


Agenda1. About NPower2. Overview of strategic technology planning

process3. Next steps: toward tech vision4. Small steps: assessment5. Next steps: scan

strategic technology planning for nonprofits 2009 pacific northwest digital inclusion summit david...

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