You’ve been asked to lead digital transformation, now what?

David Spriggs shares advice on how to break projects down into steps and make digital transformation achievable, no matter your skill level.

It’s a familiar scenario for many people who work in the not-for-profit sector – you’ve never worked in tech and by no means consider yourself an expert, yet somehow you find yourself responsible for the IT needs of your organisation. The sheer scale of such a responsibility can be daunting and a little overwhelming. 

Our digital transformation experts are approached with this exact scenario on a regular basis. John, a finance manager, has been put in charge of kick-starting the digital transformation of the small not for profit that he works for – and has no idea where to begin.

However, this process needn’t be overly complex or intimidating. By breaking the project into steps, you’ll see that each aspect of digital transformation is achievable, no matter your skill level. 

First things first – technology foundations

Taking stock of where your organisation is currently positioned when it comes to IT infrastructure is the best place to begin. You’ll need to determine the hardware your workforce currently owns, including computers, laptops, phones and printers. 

What is the condition of this hardware and how often does your organisation envisage replacing and updating these items? Make sure you keep detailed records of this information.

Another area that you’ll need to assess is the process you follow when things go wrong. Having a streamlined IT troubleshooting plan in place will save you time, and potential headaches.

You’ll also need to audit where your organisation sits regarding cloud computing. This area of technology is still relatively new for many organisations, so reaching out to an expert to assess your unique circumstances is certainly worthwhile. 

Next up – information systems and cyber security

What sort of work does your not for profit do? Do you need to keep client records? Do you have information on members, donors or other stakeholders? How do you currently store this data? 

The type of information systems your organisation requires will depend on the answers to these questions. You may already have a fantastic client and case management system, but maybe you’re not utilising it to its full functionality. 

By taking the time to audit your systems and how your staff are using them, you may find that you can improve overall efficiency. 

The most important factor to consider is the safety and security of the data you’re storing. 

The financial cost and reputational damage caused by a major security breach can be devastating to an organisation. Knowing this, it’s crucial that you take the time to review what security protocols you have in place, and ideally have an independent expert assess your current situation and what you could improve.

The human side of digital technology 

Be sure to involve relevant stakeholders in this process. The marketing team will likely have different needs from the finance team who will again have different needs from service delivery teams. 

Do you need to consider hybrid working models as we begin to come out of the strict work-from-home model post-pandemic? If so, do all staff have the equipment and access to various systems that they need to work effectively from home, as well as the office and from other locations?

Discuss how you will roll out any changes or new systems with all relevant staff members to ensure their requirements are met and that there are no surprises down the track.

By keeping all stakeholders involved in your digital transformation journey, you’ll see higher engagement from employees throughout the entire process – ultimately making your job easier.

Let’s get started

Keen to get going? Head over to the Digital Transformation Hub where you’ll find a range of free resources, including a handy quiz to help you figure out the digital needs of your organisation. 

The hub also offers free consultations with our experienced digital transformation experts who can help assess your situation and provide tailored guidance every step of the way.

If you’ve got a real appetite for learning, check out Connecting Up’s upcoming Accidental Techie Bootcamp to help you build your digital capabilities. You might also appreciate a little more insight into what other not for profits are doing in the digital space, by having a read of our Digital Technology in the Not-for-Profit sector report and checking out the case studies on our Digital Transformation Hub.

With so many resources available, rest assured that no matter your skill level, you will be able to get started on a digital transformation journey for your organisation.