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Management Technology Technical Assistance: Why Use It, How to Manage It
By Susan Crawford Consultant to Nonprofit Organizations Managing the Future: A Leader's Guide is a study recently published by the Fund for the City of New York. Designed to help nonprofit leaders improve management systems through effective use of outside technical assistance, the study covers a myriad of management areas, including strategic planning, board development, financial management, fund development, human resources management, legal assistance and information technology. The study can help nonprofit leaders understand their organization from the macro and micro levels, determine when and how technical assistance is needed, and develop a set of specific and realistic expectations for technical assistance providers. Technology TA: Lessons Learned Managing the Future includes tips on how nonprofits can solve their technology problems, based on lessons learned from the five-year DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Management Initiative that provided technical assistance to hundreds of community-based nonprofits in New York City. One of the more important lessons learned was that using outside technical assistance can save organizations time and money, especially in the design and implementation of new systems. There are many reasons why organizations seek technical assistance in the area of information technology. Some of the universally desired outcomes are improved staff productivity, organizational efficiency and stability, and control of -- or access to -- information. Improving an organization's information technology systems can also have a positive effect on the overall image of the agency; it sends a message and creates a reputation as cutting-edge or technologically advanced. Also, technology can be very cost-effective when selected and implemented properly. Recommendations Managing the Future recommends that management develop an information technology plan, considering information technology in relation to the other management areas, and provide staff training to operate and support new systems. Beware of technology plans drawn up without regard for the organizational context in which they will have to work. Even if you were to have such a technology-driven wish list magically fulfilled -- with all the money, equipment and training to successfully design, purchase and implement a brand new system -- it might not serve the real needs of the overall organization. Be sure to plan your effort in light of the external environment in which the organization will have to operate. For example, a strategic plan might reveal that the organization would not survive large cuts in government funding and would have to merge with another nonprofit, rendering the planned system inappropriate. These steps can solve potential problems before they occur, and help the organization achieve the highest level of productivity from new systems. How To Get Your Free Copy Order Managing the Future from the Fund for the City of New York; telephone (212) 925-6675. For nonprofits, the first copy is free of charge; additional copies are $12 each. It’s also free on the web at www.fcny.org. The Fund for the City of New York is a nonprofit focusing on civic innovation and implementation to improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers.
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Troubleshooting.... The Spyware Battle Rages On (March, 2006) Conducting a Technology Self Audit (November, 2005) Defending Systems and Managing Risk (December, 2003) Six Weeks to a Sleeker CBO - A Tech Planning Timeline (June, 2002) Die Virus! Die! (December, 2001) The Rebuilding Begins: NYC's Technology Assistance Providers Rally for Nonprofits (November, 2001) Plugging Back In (November, 2001) FATAL ERROR: Where Did I Go Wrong and What Can I Do Now? (April, 2001) Technology Technical Assistance: Why Use It, How to Manage It (May, 2000) If Your Computer is Looking a Little Green Around the Ears, it Might be a Virus (June, 1999) Other Articles of Interest.... The Pros and Cons of ASPs (October, 2001) A Case Management System Case Study: Providence House (January, 2001) Paving the Way to the Future: DYCD's Comprehensive Contract Management System (January, 2001) TechSoup - Free Lunch for Tech-Hungry Nonprofits (July, 2000) Planning for Success: A Practical Approach to Technology (March, 2000) |
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