What is the difference between tactical and strategic tech planning?
Someone–maybe a board member, your executive director, or a consultant–says your nonprofit needs a technology plan. And they’re probably right. But what kind of plan do you need?
There are actually two different kinds of plans that serve different purposes. In this article, I will briefly explain the differences between tactical and strategic technology planning, the benefits of each, and how you might get started.
Tactical technology planning
Let’s imagine your nonprofit is moving to a new office next month. You will need to plan for a new internet connection, Wi-Fi, possibly changes to your phone system, safely transporting hardware like computers and printers, and running all the cables and cords in the new layout. You might also need to think through how you will keep programs and services going during the move, perhaps at a pop-up location.
In this situation, you need a tactical technology plan. A tactical plan addresses immediate gaps and needs, and it typically covers a timeline of one year or less. It’s often precipitated by an event such as a move, a cybersecurity breach, a new hire who shines a spotlight on technology, or a budgeting process. The focus is on practical considerations: productivity, security, and stability.
Strategic technology planning
Now let’s imagine a different scenario. Say the organization is developing a strategic plan which includes a change of direction and significant growth over the next three years. You will need to think about how each of your major technology systems can support that change. Should you be looking at workflow automation to help handle a higher volume of clients? Where will you obtain the business intelligence needed to make data-informed decisions and monitor progress against strategic goals? How must you budget to provide enough computers and licenses for your growing staff, and replace aging equipment as time goes by? Should you change the way you are providing technical support to staff? Overall, will you prioritize cost, quality, or something else? Will you look for best-in-class or all-in-one solutions?
These are more long-term questions about the capacity of your technology systems and about how people use them. They relate to priorities and strategic directions. Here, you need a strategic technology plan. A strategic plan ties to your organization’s big-picture goals, and it often provides a roadmap for the next three-to-five years. It does not necessarily list specific investments, but rather serves as a guide to executive leadership and the board for making decisions about future investments.
Organizations often undertake strategic technology planning when they are rolling out a general strategic plan for the organization, going through a merger or forming a strategic partnership, getting a new executive director, or experiencing some other significant change. The focus is on how technology will help you achieve your strategic objectives, as well as on the change management needed to align people, process, and technology.
Which one to do first
Both kinds of plans have benefits for a nonprofit organization. A tactical technology plan helps you determine how to get where you’re going right now, and a strategic technology plan helps you determine where you ought to be headed in the future. But what if you don’t have the resources to do all this planning?
Start with a tactical technology plan. Getting your organization to basic standards of productivity, security, and stability is a prerequisite for more innovative uses of technology. If you can afford to have an expert help you with this, great, and if not, do it yourself. Start with an inventory of technology tools and practices, flag anything that is in dire need of attention, and make a prioritized list of issues to address.
When you are ready to start strategic technology planning, here are some steps you might go through:
State your planning objectives.
Form a planning team and define roles.
Review strategic goals and context.
Review the current situation, including tools and business processes.
Define desired state, expressed as KPIs or measurable outcomes of the plan.
Define strategies and investments.
Implement and monitor.
If you have an IT service provider, certainly involve them in your strategic technology planning process. Depending on their capabilities, you might also want to bring in a consultant with a more strategic viewpoint and expertise in facilitation and change management.
Key points to remember
Tactical technology planning is short-term planning that addresses immediate needs, such as moving to a new office or dealing with a cybersecurity breach.
Strategic technology planning is long-term planning that aligns technology with an organization's overall goals.
If you don't have the resources to do both, start with a tactical plan.
