Slides presented at the 2015 Nonprofit Technology Conference on the 10 scenarios of user adoption

1. Winning 100% Buy-in from Staff and
Board for your Next Nonprofit
Technology Adoption
Norman Reiss
Center for Court Innovation
Nonprofit Bridge
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#15NTCbuyin

2. 10 Scenarios
2
Which applies to your project
at your organization?

3. Scenario 1
Ideal - Staff, management and board support project during
implementation and after launch (rare)
Staff Management
/ Board
Project Initiation / Planning Yes Yes
Project Implementation Yes Yes
Post - Launch Yes Yes
Hold a ‘Lessons Learned’ Meeting to Prep for Future Projects
3

4. Scenario 2
Everyone supports project before/during implementation,
but there is no plan for staff adoption. Management/board
moves on to other priorities
Staff Management
/ Board
Project Initiation / Planning ✔ ✔
Project Implementation ✔ ✔
Post - Launch
Prepare a written plan to train staff & keep management / board involved
post-launch 4

5. Scenario 3
Management / board enthusiastically support project, but
staff aren’t involved until system is launched, when it turns
out not to meet their needs
Staff Management
/ Board
Project Initiation / Planning ✔
Project Implementation ✔
Post - Launch ✔ ✔
Ask users to help build / test the new system
5

6. Scenario 4
Management / board initially support project, but lose
interest during implementation and move to other priorities
Staff Management
/ Board
Project Initiation / Planning ✔ ✔
Project Implementation ✔
Post - Launch
Develop milestones which require management / board approval
before moving on to next step
6

7. Scenario 5
Management and board aren’t brought into project until
implementation, when it is too late to meet their
requirements, get their buy-in
Staff Management
/ Board
Project Initiation / Planning ✔
Project Implementation ✔ ✔
Post - Launch
Involve management / board from the beginning
7

8. Scenario 6
Difference in priorities between management & board
Staff Management
/ Board
Project Initiation / Planning ✔ ???
Project Implementation ✔ ???
Post - Launch
Get management / board on the same page (or don’t go forward)
8

9. Scenario 7
Change in business processes isn’t reflected in project
requirements
Staff Management
/ Board
Project Initiation / Planning ✔ ✔
Project Implementation
Post - Launch
Build in a change management system - and use it
9

10. Scenario 8
Change in organization priorities
Staff Management
/ Board
Project Initiation / Planning ✔ ✔
Project Implementation
Post - Launch
Pay attention to signs that you need to drastically alter project
scope or possibly walk away from project 10

11. Scenario 9
New staff don’t get adequate training
Staff Management
/ Board
Project Initiation / Planning ✔ ✔
Project Implementation ✔ ✔
Post - Launch ??? ✔
Plan for a continuing training schedule for current and new staff
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12. Scenario 10
Over reliance on consultant / vendor
Staff Management
/ Board
Project Initiation / Planning ✔ ✔
Project Implementation ✔
Post - Launch ✔
Plan for transfer of knowledge from implementer to staff
12

13. Best Tip to Insure Stakeholder Buy-In
13
Start building relationships with stakeholders long
before you start your project