Is a Technology Plan just another way to waste time and effort? Don't fall into that trap! There is absolutely no substitute for thoroughly thinking and planning what your company, clients, staff, andcommunity will need and how you plan to fullfill those needs. Technology planning is a process. It will save you money on hardware, software technology, and productivity. You can accomplish the organization's mission, meet and exceed the expectations of your clients by purchasing the appropriate technology from the very beginning..

Technology planning is the key to successfully:

1. Obtain funding  Funders like to know that an organization has thoroughly thought through a financial requrest. Just as a bank is more likely to provide financing to a company with a well drawn business plan, so too, are funders more likely to give precious funding to a well developed and integrated technology plan.
2. Further your organizational mission. The planning process may help widen your horizons by allowing you to see new ways technology can help you in succeed in your mission.
3. Purchase the right materials the first time. Will your software be compatible with your hardware. Will the network systems be compatible with the software and hardware. Will the entire system be vulnerable to hackers. Will the system meet todays's privacy standards. All of the above can be overwelming. Besides, who is minding the store while you try to figure all this out. After it is all said and done, will you wonder why the monitors are not working? Research as many possible solutions. Plan, plan, and plan some more.
4. Save! Be cost effective. Do it right the first time.  It is not how many bells and whistles you have and don't know how to use. It is how productive your organization can be. Will you be able to reach your full potential? Plan to spend less and get more.
5. Prevents crisis management.. Poor decisions, incompatiblity issues and lack of resources will drain you and your staff emotionally. They can cause the loss of crucial data, donors, funders, opportunities and employees.
6. Be more productive. Have you assessed the cost of down time? Your risk of losing data? What would happen if you lost your entire donor database? Do you have more than one person doing the same work, the same data entry, or fumbling with the same faulty application? Useful tools make for a streamlined organization and a happy staff.
7. Guard against turnover. Has your IT person walked out with your information technology? Do you have a backup plan? Do you have standard operating procedures or documentation of your current systems.

Why Plan?.......  Turn the page and see what is next.