IT Alignment and IT Alignment and “The Cloud” “The Cloud”

How Cloud Computing Can Help How Cloud Computing Can Help Your Organization’s Technology Your Organization’s Technology

ManagementManagement

AgendaAgenda

• IT Alignment and “The Cloud”

• Q & A Session

• Facebook and NTEN signups

Who is Elisabeth Kübler-Ross?

• Five Stages of GriefDenial

Anger

Bargaining

Depression

Acceptance

Five Stages of IT Grief Five Stages of IT Grief

• Denial– “This should be easy to fix.”– “What the heck just happened?”

• Anger– “The vendor said this would never happen!!!”– “Our consultant said this should not be a

problem!”– “What do you mean you can’t fix it?!”

Five Stages of IT Grief Five Stages of IT Grief

• Bargaining– “Come on, please let it work.”– “If you fix it, I’ll renew your support contract for

another year!”

• Depression– “We are never going to be able to fix this!”– “I can’t believe we are going to have to start all over

again.”

• Acceptance– “Oh well?! I guess there’s nothing else we can do.”

Accept this!!!!Accept this!!!!

• Rather than accepting things as they are…

• …change them!!!!

What is IT Alignment?What is IT Alignment?

• Steve Heye’s concept from NTEN’s “Managing Technology to Meet Your Mission”

• Coordinating an IT strategy with goals, strategies and processes to meet an organization's mission

• It is a process– Identify where you are in the process

Five Stages of Managing Five Stages of Managing TechnologyTechnology

• The goal is to move the role of technology in your organization from a necessary evil to a key piece in helping you meet your mission

• Use technology to help you do what you do– Directly (meet your mission)– Indirectly (save staff time so they can help

you meet your mission)

Five Stages of IT AlignmentFive Stages of IT Alignment

• Chaotic

• Reactive

• Proactive

• Service

• Value

ChaoticChaotic

• Not really keeping things going• No technology plan• No technology budget• Outdated equipment• No inventory of technology exists• No tech support/training available• Data is not easily assembled or collected• No defined data requirements

ReactiveReactive

• Fire fighting mode• Limited technology planning• Informal technology budgeting• No standard for new computer purchases• Fixing/repairing things as they break• Some training on software occurs• Little or no documentation• Minimal data requirements defined

ProactiveProactive

• Software and data needs analyzed and defined• Technology budget planning• IT staff supporting users• Tech strategy serves overall strategic plan• Tech staff interacts with operating departments• Policies and procedures are in development• Inventoried up-to-date standardized equipment• Software documentation exists• Data collected mainly for financial reasons

ServiceService• Data integration and process automation • Computer systems support business processes• IT becomes a part of the leadership team• Technology projects tied directly to business

needs• Technology is an investment, not an expense• Policies and procedures exist• Super-users identified throughout the

organization• Technology skills are part of job descriptions• Software documentation exists and is refined as

needed• Reporting focuses on more than financial data

ValueValue

• Technology staff is part of senior leadership • Board and/or staff technology committee• Tech policies implemented and enforced• Training needs are assessed annually• Metrics are used to measure program success• IT closely collaborates with program areas• IT budget as a percentage; not a dollar amount• Technology drives business process

improvement

Five Stages of IT AlignmentFive Stages of IT Alignment

• Chaotic

• Reactive

• Proactive

• Service

• Value

How to get thereHow to get there

• Know where you are

• Define your destination

• Build the buy in (staff and board)

• Make it happen

• Repeat

Tech Success <> $$$$Tech Success <> $$$$

• It is not the amount of money you can spend on technology that determines your success…

• …it’s the people and process you use to manage technology that shapes the results

• Have to have the right people involved regardless of their technology expertise

• Don’t even need tech people

What does “cloud computing” have What does “cloud computing” have to do with this?to do with this?

• For new projects, it allows you to skip some of the headaches associated with the first couple phases

• Can quickly take you from chaotic to service on existing projects

What is cloud computing?What is cloud computing?

• You do not own or maintain the servers• You use the vendors’ servers as needed

– Just like electricity

• Pay for what you use (utility or subscription basis)

• Immediate access to developed programs• Little or no technical expertise needed• Simple, universal access to information

Who offers seminars?Who offers seminars?

• What are some of the things your organization has to do to make them happen?

Who offers seminars?Who offers seminars?

• Registration and Advertising– Marketing materials– Take calls, open registration forms, read e-mails

• Attendance– Who attended what when?

• Locations– How many people will be there?– What if too many people show up?– Or not enough?

Simple attendance databaseSimple attendance database

• Information about what people attend which seminars you offer

• Well-designed system replaces a paper calendar and a rolodex– Easier to reference information– Staff time saver

• Track how many people attend or register for each session– Adjust/modify content or days of the week based on

attendance or feedback you can get from surveys

Implement a hosted meeting Implement a hosted meeting serviceservice

• People from all over the planet can attend• People from all over the planet can present• People can self-register

– Staff no longer have to key this information• Record the seminar for later viewing• Collect information about attendees• No need to buy and maintain any additional

hardware or software

Anybody get a new computer Anybody get a new computer lately?lately?

• Was it scheduled to be replaced or did it just stop working?

• Did you have one ready to go or did you have to order it and wait for it to arrive?

• What has to happen to get your new computer ready for you to use?

• Take computer out of box• Do initial setup• Start installing software

Installing softwareInstalling software

• Install Office software• Map network drives• Install database software• Install more database software• Configure e-mail client

– Move contacts from old e-mail system– Move old e-mail messages

• Install and configure remote access software

Move to cloud applicationsMove to cloud applications• No special configurations on your new computer (usually)• Access from anywhere you have an Internet connection• No need to move your data every time you get a new

computer• Access from ANY computer with an Internet connection• Longer life for your computers

– Buy replacements less frequently• So easy a caveman can do it

– No need for technical staff– No need for consultants

• Less need to use specific types of computers• Access applications from your television of smart phone

Benefits of Cloud ComputingBenefits of Cloud Computing

• Reduced costs– Pay as you go– No fixed costs

• Simple to implement, use and maintain– Automatic upgrades

• Flexibility/scalable• Universal access 24 / 7 /365• Built in disaster recovery• No need for technology experts

– IT has more time to work on strategic issues if desired

What to move to the cloudWhat to move to the cloud

• Web site• Web site content management• E-mail• Backup• Donor management• Accounting• File sharing• Word processing, spreadsheets and

presentation software• Case management• Payroll• Time and attendance

Q & AQ & A