The Strategic Technology Program

Outline of Process, Training and Meeting Schedules

The goal of the training and meetings outlined is the completion of a technology plan that addresses all of the organization’s technology needs. This process is facilitated by a consultant, but the plan itself is written by the organization’s technology team. It is expected that organizations will need to set aside three to eight hours of staff time to complete homework between meetings.

This program is based on the program developed by Npower and focuses on these four primary components:

Envision – Assess – Prioritize - Act

Prior to the first training session on 23 April 2010, we want to complete:

1. Initial thinking on technology projects to be considered using mission as the guide
2. Current infrastructure assessment using Tech Atlas
3. Technology training assessment using Tech Atlas
4. Review of current technology spending
5. Draft sections 1 and 2 of plan, using plan template and sample plan as references

Between the first training session and the second training session on 4 June 2010, we will have two meetings together and want to complete:

1. Vision of how technology will move the organization forward in its mission
2. Tech team in place
3. All assessments complete
1. Infrastructure
2. Tech support
3. Tech training
4. Data management
5. Communications including web site
4. Further development and refinement of technology projects to be considered

The subsequent four to six meetings will focus on the following:

1. Prioritizing and justifying technology projects
2. Developing the details of the plan
1. What hardware and software is needed?
2. What options are available to us that will move our mission forward?
3. Getting quotes from vendors and reviewing alternatives
4. Address all the primary sections reviewed as part of the assessment
5. Developing a budget and a timeline
3. Finalize the plan
4. Review the final plan
5. Put together the Strategic Technology Grant application
6. Six-month check in to review results

Some things to remember:

• This is a three year plan with a three year budget
• HFPG only provides funds for the first year of the plan
• The technology initiatives should tie in to and be catalysts for your strategic organizational goals