TECHNOLOGY PLANNING

This document is an outline/guide for the written portion of a technology plan. It is intended to expand a planning committee's familiarity with technology planning and related issues. Technology planning is a fluid, ongoing process. A written plan is not a burden where different categories, such as a mission statement, etc., have to be labored. The written plan should be an articulation of what is believed, what exists, what is to be, and how goals are to be achieved. A planning document is but one tangible outcome of the planning process.

GUIDELINES

The Five Essential Conditions of Integrating Technology at a Site:

1. Forma a technology committee

• Make sure all the stakeholders are represented
• Include members with technical abilities:
• Examples of members:
  • Executive Director/Board members
  • Administrative/Program/Clerical Staff
  • Clients/Friends of the agency
  • Significant funders of the agency
  • Community and business representation
  • Computer Hobbyist
  • Computer Consultants
• Appoint a leader of the committee
• Hold regular meetings with agendas, tasks and timelines.

2. Write a Site Technology Plan

• Must be consistent with the agency's mission and overall strategic plan
• Should cover 1-3 years (with declining detail, increasing vision)
• Should cover hardware, software, staff training
• Should anticipate issues change will bring (e.g. staff anxiety)
• Should include detailed budget tied to agency's operating budget

3. Break project down into measurable tasks

• Determine the inter-task dependencies (What other task is a prerequisite?)
• Assign lengths to each task
• Assign resources (i.e., staff and equipment) to each task (Who is responsible? What do they need?)

4. Have on-going Staff development in Technology

• Agency leadership, including board and staff, should participate in, or at least commit to, the technology planning process
• Appropriate staff should be encouraged, and allowed sufficient time, to participate
• Communicate, revise and update the project status regularly
• Perform a post-implementation review

5. Be certain that technology is a priority item within site budget