Infrastructure

These rules cover how your organization should be thinking and acting regarding the technology that keeps your office running--hardware (computers and other equipment), software (media, licenses, contracts) and services (internet, phone, etc.).

1. Build technology costs into your annual budget
2. Proactively replace equipment-- don't wait for things to break
3. Implement (and test!) backup strategy
4. Implement computer security "best practices"
5. Develop a Disaster Recovery Plan (and test it!)
6. Maintain an inventory of hardware, software, licenses, contracts, etc.
7. Just say “NO” to inferior computer donations

Information Management

1. Create and know your Privacy Policy Keep up with federal, state, foundation rules
2. Don’t let your database be a bottleneck for your organization 
3. Don't build your own database if an existing product will do
4. Consider a web-based database if your current database no longer meets your needs

Communication Management

These rules cover how your organization should be thinking and acting regarding your communication with constituents—using email, the web, etc.

1. Collect email addresses—and use them! (with permission, of course)
2. Decide why you have a website. Is it to tell a story, educate, advocate, provide services?
3. Identify your audience/s, your decision-makers and those who influence your decision-makers
4. Make sure the information is accurate, up-to-date, relevant
5. Create a website that is well organized, visually compelling and easy to keep up to date
6. Invest in a website that can help you interact with your constituents

Training and Support

 
These rules cover how your organization should be thinking and acting regarding building staff skills and knowledge and keeping your technology systems running.

Technology Planning

 
With a plan, all the preceding rules make sense, fit with your organization’s goals and objectives, and help move your work forward.

Create a technology plan, revisit your plan, update your plan, use your plan.