Empowering charities through adoption and change management

What to consider before adopting technology

The first step of effective tech implementation, and the first process in an adoption and change management plan, happens before the technology has even been established.

Before adopting new technology, charities need to define their goals and identify the challenges they aim to solve. Clear objectives will guide decision-making and ensure the technology aligns with their mission. Understanding the needs of employees, volunteers, and beneficiaries is essential, as accessibility and ease of use are crucial. Budget planning is also key, and charities should assess funding options while prioritising technologies that deliver the most impact.

In short, to prepare you must:

1. Create clear objectives. What are you hoping to gain from the technology
2. Understand the needs of your community. What technology do your beneficiaries need? What skills will they need to utilise it?
3. How do you get the most out of your technology for less?

Creating your objectives

Creating clear objectives ensures that every investment and initiative aligns with your mission and delivers measurable value. Without well-defined goals, organisations risk wasting resources on tools that fail to address their specific challenges or support their long-term strategy. Clear objectives provide focus, guide decision-making, and help measure success.

• Assess current challenges and opportunities
• Break down broad goals into actionable objectives
• Review and refine regularly

Bridging any skills gaps

New technology comes with new processes. Giving staff and volunteers the training they need to understand the technology and become proficient is key.

Organisations can start by assessing current abilities through surveys or assessments. Tailored training programmes can help address specific gaps, building digital confidence among employees.

Here’s how to create an effective training plan:

• Step 1: Identify key roles and needs: focus on roles that will interact most with the new technology
• Step 2: Choose the right training format: whether it’s hands-on workshops, webinars, or on-demand courses, tailor the format to be inclusive and to your team’s preferences
• Step 3: Build a culture of learning: encourage ongoing learning by celebrating milestones and providing opportunities for upskilling

Ensuring cost efficiency

We understand that budgets are the biggest consideration for organisations like yours that are going through new tech implementation.

Conduct a cost-benefit analysis to prioritise tools that address key needs and deliver long-term value. Leverage discounts, grants, and nonprofit programmes to reduce expenses. Most importantly, set a clear budget covering implementation, maintenance, and training, and regularly review expenses to ensure the technology meets goals without overspending.

Tech adoption for the future

Technology adoption is an ongoing process. Regularly review your tools, gather feedback, and continue investing in digital skills to keep pace with change. With the right approach, technology will help your charity achieve its mission more effectively while empowering your team to do their best work.

Help with adoption and change management

While modern technologies emphasise efficiency, collaboration, and productivity, simply having access to the technology isn’t enough. Our Adoption and Change Management (ACM) Team helps your organisation maximize your investments by promoting new working methods via training workshops and support materials.

As an NCVO Trusted Supplier, we understand the unique challenges faced by charity organisations and their need to implement technology effectively and at a lower cost.