At Toronto Net Tuesday on March 13 2012, Tierney (TechSoup Canada's Manager of Learning & Special Projects) led the group of nonprofits through a technology self-assessment to determine the areas where they need to focus. A full recap of the event, along with resources, is available here: http://www.techsoupcanada.ca/community/blog/toronto_net_tuesday/tech_planning_workshop

1. GET A HANDLE ON YOUR TECHNOLOGY: A
MINI-WORKSHOP

2. We help nonprofits use
technology to achieve their
full potential.
We do this by lowering the
barriers to technology
through access to tools,
knowledge, training and
talent.

3. Learn About Technology
Get Products
Register your organization today, to be eligible to
request over 300 products from 28 donor partners!
www.TechSoupCanada.ca/getting_started

4. TechSoup Canada Donations
Program
More than 300+ Products from 28 Corporate Donors.
Available to registered charities, nonprofits and libraries.

5. AGENDA
Welcome & Introductions
Why is technology planning important?
Technology self-assessment
Setting priorities
Sharing & discussion

6. INTRODUCTIONS
Name
Organization
What are you hoping to get out of this
evening?

7. WHY PLAN FOR TECHNOLOGY?
Tierney Smith
TechSoup Canada

8. YOUR ORGANIZATION IS LIKE A HOUSE…

9. MOST IMPORTANT IS YOUR MISSION
Mission

10. WHICH YOU WORK TOWARDS THROUGH YOUR
PROGRAMS & SERVICES
Mission
Programs &
Services

11. TO FUNCTION, YOUR PROGRAMS NEED A
STRONG FOUNDATION
Mission
Programs &
Services
Admin & Shared
Services

12. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER!
Mission
Programs &
Services
Admin & Shared
Services

13. LET’S FOCUS ON YOUR TECHNOLOGY
FOUNDATION
Mission
Programs &
Services
Technology

14. WE ALL WANT THIS:

15. BUT THIS IS MORE THE REALITY:

16. WHICH IS FINE… UNTIL THIS HAPPENS:

17. • What makes a good
technology foundation?
• How do I balance competing
priorities?
• If everything is a mess, where do I
start?

18. SELF-ASSESSMENT

19. 4 FACETS OF TECH PLANNING
1. The Basics
2. Day-to-Day
3. Strategy
4. Innovation

20. THE BASICS
• Up to date technology
• Support
• Security
• Backup
• Policies

21. DAY-TO-DAY
• What are all the types of software you use to
do your work?
• Think of:
• Installed software
• Online (cloud) programs
• Databases

22. STRATEGY
• It’s hard to make progress if your leadership
doesn’t buy in!
• Technology decisions shouldn’t be an
afterthought. Tie it to strategy & program
goals.

23. INNOVATION
• Technology is always changing… so
there’s always room to grow & learn
• Transforming your organization
• Transforming service delivery

24. BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
• Count up your “score” in each area

25. PRIORITIZING
• You can’t do everything at once
• Where do you need to focus?
• Be realistic.
Pick 2 areas to focus on.

26. PRIORITIZING

27. SHARING
• What parts of the assessment did you
score well on? Or not?
• What surprised you?
• What have you chosen as your 2
priorities?

28. WHAT’S NEXT?
• Planning timeline
• Budgeting
• Learning about tools, case studies
• Mobilize resources
• Tech-savvy staff, volunteers, consultants
• Lather, rinse, repeat
• Reassess in a few months

29. ONLINE RESOURCES
• Technology planning series of articles
http://techsoupcanada.ca/learning_centre/articles/tech_planning_getting_started
• Tech planning resources in our Learning Centre
http://techsoupcanada.ca/learning_centre/topics/tech_planning
• List of some common nonprofit tools
http://www.techsoupcanada.ca/checklist
• Reviews of cloud tools
http://www.platformation.ca/

30. RECOMMENDED READING
• Managing Technology to Meet Your Mission
Edited By Holly Ross, Katrin Verclas and Allison Levine
• The Networked Nonprofit
By Beth Kanter and Allison Fine