Navigating the complexities of the not-for-profit (NFP) sector requires a strategic approach, particularly when it comes to technology. I've worked with a number of NFPs and community-based organisations over the years, and it's relatively common to find a disconnect between technology initiatives and overarching organisational goals, leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities.
Recently, we worked with an NFP to deliver a comprehensive IT Current State Assessment, which revealed key areas for improvement and set the stage for strategic realignment and growth.
Understanding the Current State
A Current State Assessment involves a detailed analysis of an organisation’s environment, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and provides a baseline for defining the desired future state. This process is crucial for developing a strategic IT roadmap that aligns with an organisation’s mission and objectives.
Key Components of a Current State Assessment
- IT Governance - Assessing IT governance structures to ensure they support strategic goals. This includes evaluating policies, procedures, and compliance with regulations.
- People - Reviewing the skills, capabilities, and structure of your IT team. Identifying gaps and opportunities for training and development.
- Infrastructure - Evaluating the current IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, and network components. Identifying areas that require upgrades or consolidation.
- Applications - Analysing the applications in use to determine their effectiveness and alignment with business needs. Recommending changes or integrations where necessary.
- IT Operations - Reviewing operational processes to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement. This includes change management, incident management, and service delivery.
- Data Management - Assessing how data is collected, stored, and utilised. Ensuring data integrity, security, and accessibility.
- Security - Evaluating current security measures and identifying vulnerabilities. Recommending strategies to enhance cybersecurity.
Engaging Stakeholders
An essential part of the assessment is engaging with stakeholders. Conducting interviews and gathering feedback ensures that the assessment addresses the needs and concerns of all parties involved.
SWOT and Gap Analysis
Conducting a SWOT analysis helps in understanding the internal and external factors affecting the IT environment. A gap analysis identifies the differences between the current state and desired outcomes, providing a clear path for improvement.
Strategic Initiatives
During our recent work, several key initiatives were identified, aimed at addressing strategic issues. These initiatives included IT workflow prioritisation, consolidating infrastructure, and addressing technical debt. By focusing on implementing these initiatives, we projected an expenditure reduction of approximately AU$1 million over three years. This demonstrates the substantial benefits of addressing issues with a strategic mindset backed by technical expertise.
Recommendations for Improvement
Based on the assessment, we developed actionable recommendations to address identified gaps and drive the organisation towards the desired future state. This included developing a comprehensive IT strategy and governance framework, realigning resource roles and responsibilities, simplifying infrastructure, adopting out-of-the-box solutions, standardising IT service delivery processes, and enhancing data management and security practices.
Conclusion
Conducting a thorough Current State Assessment is both about understanding where you are, and laying the foundation for where you want to be. For NFPs, this strategic approach ensures that IT initiatives are aligned with organisational goals and designed to deliver "best bang for your buck", driving efficiency and success. By clearly prioritising initiatives, NFPs can build a more efficient, effective, and strategic technology function that enables and even drives long-term vision and objectives.
To discuss your organisation's requirements, please get in touch for a no-obligation chat.