Your business is growing and changing. Every day brings new challenges and new opportunities, and although growth is exciting, it comes with challenges. Technology is a vital tool to making sure that you are reaching, communicating with and serving your customer base. It is also a critical piece to ensuring everything runs smoothly internally. Having a plan of action as to how to manage and grow your technology is just as important as any other part of your business plan.
A Technology Needs Assessment is a systematic review of your company’s technology requirements, taking into account what is needed today, and the expected needs based on your plan of growth. Whether you are a large company or a small shop, the need is the same.
Why is a Technology Needs Assessment Important?
* It gives you a snapshot of your current technology landscape
* It highlights gaps in your current structure, including aging and inefficient technology
* It identifies areas where your technology is actually impeding productivity
* It reveals inefficiencies and unnecessary duplication of hardware
* It allows you to structure a coherent plan for the purchase of new equipment
* It allows for technology budgets to be streamlined and accurate
* It prepares you for the retirement and obsolescence of current technology
Before you make your next new technology purchase, you should seriously consider performing a Technology Needs Assessment.
5 Steps to a Successful Technology Needs Assessment
1) Your first step is to go to the source – your employees who utilize the technology every day. Survey management and staff regarding any frustrations they have with the existing technology as it pertains to productivity, customer service and morale.
Technology deficiencies may include slow, outdated hardware, or software which is not intuitive and requires too much time to process an order. Document everything you learn thoroughly.
2) Your next step is to review all of the existing technology at your company. You will want to fully document each piece of hardware, making sure to note its age and condition.
Don’t forget to record software release version, patches, and which business processes the hardware is used to support.
This step will allow you to identify the deficiencies in your technology. Some of these will have been obvious visually; however more importantly you can begin to map the deficient technology with the concerns of your employees and customers.
3) Next, review your current situation with key employees. You will want to determine which technology needs to be retired, which needs to be replaced, and which business processes would benefit from completely new hardware and software.
Remember, you are not only considering what will work for today, but what you will need for the next phase of your development. Make sure you include personnel familiar with the business plan and growth projections.
Here’s a Tip: At this point, you may wish to discuss any creative alternative solutions.
For instance, your software may be exactly what your company needs, you simply need to properly train your team on its functionality. Perhaps the high-powered laptop on the receptionist’s desk may be better utilized in the design department.
Review the assets which you do have, and see if they can be reallocated or enhanced to improve efficiency and productivity.
4) When it is determined where your technology platform is deficient and what you need to purchase, do your research.
Upgrading hardware and software to increase business productivity is generally a smart move, but there may be an argument as to why your company does not need the latest and greatest, or the most expensive. Online forums and independent review sites can be of great help in this step as you tap the knowledge of those who have already purchased and used the products you are considering.
If it all seems overwhelming, you may wish to bring in expert technical consulting help to make sure that you are doing the best for your company.
5) Set a schedule to routinely conduct a Technology Needs Assessment in order to ensure that your company is on track with its stated goals.
Overall, reviewing your technology allows you to streamline your business, increase productivity , boost employee morale and improve your customer’s experience. If you have never done a Technology Needs Assessment, now is the time. We can help.
