Voluntary organisations often
approach a technical expert for help with their computer system. Paul
Ticher - who has worked as an adviser on IT to non-profit
organisations for over fifteen years - suggests there are other
issues to consider first.
Not so long ago many organisations
"got a computer" then wondered why it sat around not being used.
Perhaps there were no funds for training staff and volunteers, or the
person in the organisation who did know how to use it left without
passing on their skills. Or maybe their ambitions weren't matched by
the equipment, skills and supporting finance available.
This scenario is becoming less common as computer awareness
increases, but another is rapidly taking its place: that of the
organisation which "goes on the Internet" in the same ill-defined
way, only to end up disappointed.
One of the hardest things to tell a client (whether they're paying
you or not) is that they don't need you. Yet if your skills are
technical and the organisation hasn't sorted out its objectives, it
may not be appropriate - yet - for you to be involved. In the long
run it's worth being tough: no one wants to be associated with a
failed project. So it's always worth asking:
If you're happy with the
organisation's answers to all those questions, then you can get down
to the technical detail, the cost/benefit analysis and implementation
plans.
And there's no doubt that organisations can benefit from the well
thought out use of IT. Some of the environmental and campaigning Web
sites, in particular, achieve things which just would not be possible
in any other way. E-mail and related technologies such as list
servers and bulletin boards have enabled isolated experts scattered
around the country, perhaps even in different organisations, to
collaborate and support each other like never before.
Even relatively humble systems bring benefits if the organisation
knows what it is doing. An accounts system can allow faster and
better management information, more accurate reports to funders, and
better financial control, with a minimal staffing level in the
finance department.
Standard letters can give front-line
staff control of their own communications without having to have all
the skills of an experienced secretary. Searchable on-line
directories (where the information is well-organised and properly
indexed) can answer client queries faster and make the job of keeping
the information up to date easier.
All these examples are based on real organisations I've had contact
with over the last few years.
They make the point that an IT project needn't be innovative or very
elaborate. Provided it really serves the organisation's objectives a
cheap and simple solution, implemented with management commitment and
support, may be all it takes to make a very real difference.
And when you and the organisation have done everything right, and the
project is a success, tell everyone about it! One thing the voluntary
sector is very good at is sharing information about good practice and
learning from each other. In the end, everybody wins.
Paul Ticher can be contacted on 0116 270 5876, or by e-mail at
paul@ptgt.win-uk.net.
You can order a fact sheet he has written - and find useful artciles
- at http://www.lasa.org.uk/cnews.htm