3 things are vital to building your tech strategy
Without them, it’s impossible to have alignment.
Sure, you could build a strategy
but, strategy for strategy’s sake is pointless.
You need the RIGHT strategy aligned to your organization to be effective.
So, alignment is the first step.
You build alignment with these 3 things:
Purpose – Why an object exists. What value does it bring?
Vision – The long-term, idealistic future state that you will accomplish.
Mission – How you will apply the object to accomplish your vision.
** Shout out to David C. Baker for helping me understand these definitions. **
Let’s use a shovel as an example to illustrate this:
(What does a shovel have to do with your nonprofit?)
Purpose: A shovel exists to move material from one point to another.
Vision: I want a beautiful pool in my backyard.
Mission: Use the shovel to dig until I have a pool-sized hole in my backyard.
To connect the dots: the shovel = technology
Obviously, a technology organization is more complex than a shovel.
But again,
understanding your Purpose, Vision, and Mission (PVM) statements is vital to alignment.
Keep this in mind, your PVM statements are specific to technology and are based on your organization’s high-level vision and mission statements.
With these in place, you can develop your key objectives and your strategy for accomplishing them.
And you will know, beyond any doubt, your strategy will be helping your organization achieve its mission.
Finally,
I’ll expand on an example I’ve used before:
My hypothetical Christian nonprofit’s organizational mission is:
To deliver practical resources, mentorship, and Christ-centered initiatives that empower individuals and families to achieve lasting stability and spiritual renewal.
Here is a possible PVM for technology in this org:
Purpose: To increase reach and engagement through easily accessible digital platforms.
Vision: Entire communities are evangelized, discipled, and equipped through personal interactions facilitated through our applications.
Mission: Create easily accessible digital spaces that facilitate regular interaction, emotional safety, and training Biblical leaders throughout our impact communities.
It’s important to note that these statements are best done with others
In prayer.
Ideally, with your executive leadership team and an objective outside voice.
Can you see how technical decisions are simplified and tactics can be generated from these?