Strategic Technology Planning for Nonprofits

1. Strategic Technology Planning for Nonprofits 2009 Pacific Northwest Digital Inclusion Summit David Forrester January 28, 2009

2. Agenda About NPower Overview of strategic technology planning process Next steps: toward tech vision Small steps: assessment Next steps: scan

3. About NPowerIntroduction 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/

4. About NPowerTechnology Pyramid Innovative • Technology directly tied to providing services • Advances organization’s mission Efficient and Effective • Use technology to conduct “nonprofit business” • Proficient in client tracking, fundraising, communication uses; integrated data • Tying to evaluations/outcomes Stable and Secure • Hardware/software up to date • Anti-viral software, frequent back-ups • Internal network to share documents and data • Technology Constrained • Computers/networks frequently crash • Outdated software and hardware • Often deal with virus or back-up emergencies

5. XYZ’s Technology Plan • Organizational Overview • Organizational Vision • Technology Assessment • Technology Projects • Technology Budget • Implementation Schedule • Evaluation Criteria Tech Planning Team ED & Board Board of Directors 1 2 Appoint Planning Team Create Tech Plan  + $ ED & Board 3 Staff & Vendors Approve & Fund the Plan 5 4 Evaluate Results (+/-) Implement Projects Technology Planning ProcessOverview

6. Technology Planning Process Create a Tech Plan Technology Planning Initiation Visioning Assessment Definition Approval • Planning Team identification • Stakeholder analysis • Kick-off meeting • Review of business goals and key work processes • Pain points identification • Peers and potential technologies discovery • Hardware and software inventory • Tech skills audit survey • Staff interviews • Gap and opportunity analysis • Technology research • Recommendations development • Project definition, scoping and budgeting • Document development • Draft plan review • Stakeholder presentations • Evaluation criteria • Final publication Value Proposition • 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

7. Technology Planning Process Progressive Elaboration

8. Technology Planning Process Plan Approval

9. 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

10. 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/

11. Small Steps The Benchmarks • Minimum PC Configurations • Standard OS for Workstations and Server • Appropriate Network Environment • Reliable Internet Broadband Connection • Hardware Firewall Installed • Wireless Networks Secured • Backup and recovery for mission critical data • Email protection • Secure Internet Browsing • Strong Password Policies • Documentation • Know How/Tech Support

12. 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?

13. 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.

14. 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

15. Small Steps 2007 Findings The good news: broadband ubiquity and improved networking The bad news: everything else

16. Small Steps 2007 Findings • Majority of nonprofits still have antiquated technology • Outdated operating system software • Old hardware in use on some of their machines • Security strategies of most nonprofits are insufficient • Networks, data, and users exposed to risk • Especially true of email • Many nonprofits in region do not have readily accessible documentation about their IT infrastructure

17. Next Steps Perform a Scan Contact your IT resource Sign up for www.TechAtlas.org Gather your inventory via either: Tech Atlas; not free but an enhanced feature Spiceworks, free Belarc, free Winaudit, free Conduct your own Stable and Secure Assessment or, if you are near an NPower, drop us a line….

18. Agenda About NPower Overview of strategic technology planning process Next steps: toward tech vision Small steps: assessment Next steps: scan