Where are you going?

The following table provides an overview of how ICT can support an organisation as it develops. It uses four states of organisational development - formulation, expansion, consolidation and integration - to help you see where you’re going and the possible steps along the way.

Roadmap: Where are you going with ICT?

Hardware

1. Formulation Single PCs; one printer/broadband connection per computer
2. Expansion Join up single PCs; share printers and connections; video/digital camera for projects
3. Consolidation Networks for application and file-sharing; laptops and PDAs for flexibility; back-up handled in-house
4. Integration Extended networks working outside physical and organisational boundaries; back-up handled off-site

Software

1. Formulation Basic use of Word, Outlook Express, Internet Explorer; nothing licensed
2. Expansion Some use of Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint; Microsoft Office standard
3. Consolidation Access, Outlook, Front Page Standard; desktop packages bring consistency
4. Integration Lotus Notes, DreamWeaver, Quark; mixed environment – back office and front office software

Skills

1. Formulation Sporadic, based on past knowledge
2. Expansion Task-oriented
3. Consolidation Reflect role and responsibilities; training needs analysis identifies priorities
4. Integration Diverse, flexible, updated regularly; linked to role but used creatively across teams

Managing ICT

1. Formulation Ignored
2. Expansion Project-based
3. Consolidation ICT seen as part of organisational strategy
4. Integration ICT investment delivers measurable benefits in efficiency and effectiveness

Resourcing ICT

1. Formulation Sporadic funds, no planning
2. Expansion Bid for hardware and software by project but don't cost in ongoing support or training; little or no support available unless volunteer is available
3. Consolidation Hardware, software, training and support costs included in project budgets; ICT investment desired but cost/benefit not clear; buy in ICT support
4. Integration All capital and implementation costs considered in all relevant budgets; staff member as lead on ICT support; buy in specialist services

Information

1. Formulation Everyone for themselves; Internet access limited; information flows in
2. Expansion Internet access available to all; monitoring systems for each project; some central management information systems, especially accounts
3. Consolidation Shared diary and contacts for all; monitoring information systems connect to each other
4. Integration Management information system makes it easy to collect, store, manage and analyse all relevant information

Communication

1. Formulation One-to-one email, phone; face-to-face meetings; local networking
2. Expansion Occasional self-published newsletter; website on free system
3. Consolidation Annual report self-published; regular newsletter; website self-published, includes some interactive parts eg booking forms, FAQ section etc
4. Integration Active in local, regional, national and international networks; multi-faceted website driven by content management system and integrated with internal systems as well as client services and partner sites

Outcomes

1. Formulation Often takes longer to do things
2. Expansion Start identifying common ground and working together much better; still spend a lot of time sorting out small problems
3. Consolidation Collaboration begins to pay dividends; easier to work with people outside the organisation
4. Integration Organisation responsive to change; well-connected to key stakeholders; clear goals, understands how ICT can help achieve them