One of most sought after questions in this sector. I have heard many for and against arguements. Some of them are listed under:
For:
1. It's a way of life or principles/values of Open Source - are what an NGO is all about.
2. It's free! and save us a lot of resources - both time and money - why can't we use it?
3. Access to Source Code, no-vendor-lock-in
Against:
1. I don't care - if it's open source or proprietary as long as it works effectively and efficiently
2. Anyways, i get free licenses or pirate these softwares - why should I learn or study/implement open source?
3. I don't get support or no documentation is available
I am not going into each for and against aruguements, but to suggest or explore what is the best-solution available for the ngo's in Indian Context. I would use the word 'Appropriate Technology' and would delve into it little bit.
You should read my other blogs - particularly of Culture and Organisation Age & Culture before we look at Appropriate Technology.
What are open-source solutions available for NGO's in Indian Context?
- Operating Systems (Systems which power your Computer/Laptop) : -
Ubuntu and host of linux based distribution (Desktop and Server editions are available)
- Office Suite - Open Office
- Internet Browser (everbody knows!) - Firefox, Chrome, Safari
- Email Systems - Evolution/Thunderbird for Email Client and Postfix for Email Servers
- Anti-Virus - AVG
- Content Management Systems - Joomla, Plone,Word Press, Movable Type, Mambo, Drupal (many more..)
- Financial Accounting - None which is suitable for Indian NGO's
- Donor Management Systems - None which is suitable for Indian NGO's
- Contact Management Systems - Sugar CRM (some of issues with India - Date format, Currency, etc),
In next week - we will explore much more on this..
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Organizations and it's age-characteristics
Disclaimer: This isn't a technology subject nor i am specialist in understanding both human and organizational behavior.
In January 2010, I was invited by my alumni CRY to celebrate it's completion of 30 years. While sitting there and meeting old colleagues, going through some old photographs and presentations - my mind went back and also intrigued by looking at presentation made there for every decade of what CRY has done. While the presentation refreshed memories - i was also looking at evolution of the organization through the stages of age-characteristics. Over the last 12-14 months where working with many ngo's/non-profits - i looked at their websites, talking to them, information provided by them, annual report etc - i found some patterns or manifestations in this sector. I have also found these patterns of evolutionary stages in the for-the-profit sector as well when i read newspaper/magazine articles or blogs or TV interviews or inter-acting with technology partners during my stint at CRY.
Give below is my collective experiences through some understanding in development jargon:
a. Survival and Protection - 1-15 years - where you will find typically the founders almost determine the course of action. High levels of energies, innovation/creativity at its peak, most of the people who come into the managerial level or founders are typically are generalists and/or loving mothers/father (more likely to find the word 'family'). Performance measurement through carrot and stick. Completely un-systematic, culture of 'WE', 'I' is bad word, poor infrastructure, people turnover is quite high. Collaboration with others are given as it's more of family. Information is not available in a documented fashion or with selected 'few' in their heads. Would likely to have at the end of 10-15 years- Mission and Vision written down.
b. Protection and Development- 16-30 years where you will find more structures and systems evolve; culture of group/committee, high levels of confusion - between old and new (i.e. 'WE' vs. ”I'), looking for specialist/professionals in their own field, questioning old belief's and thinking - thereby resulting in more debates, changing the course or evolution of strategies (at least short-term), questioning non-performance. (more likely to find the word 'organization', 'professionalism', 'strategy' in most of the dialogues). Collaboration with others are formal with more on relationships between Individuals. Information is available but in stand-alone. Founders/old guards take a back-seat - more in mentor's role or move out.
c. Development and Participation -31-45 year - Re-defining structures and systems, high levels of 'I' ness, new ways of thinking, collaboration with others are extremely formal (what is there for me), extreme specialization, People turnover may be lowest, little reverence to history, diversification, define strategic direction/vision (more likely to find the word 'performance, efficiency, bottom-line'), better infrastructure, high level of systems and structures. Mission and Vision will be re-written or enhanced. Information is moving towards integration.
For technologists - one critical aspect is to understand these evolutions and patterns before undertaking a project for creation or implementation.
In January 2010, I was invited by my alumni CRY to celebrate it's completion of 30 years. While sitting there and meeting old colleagues, going through some old photographs and presentations - my mind went back and also intrigued by looking at presentation made there for every decade of what CRY has done. While the presentation refreshed memories - i was also looking at evolution of the organization through the stages of age-characteristics. Over the last 12-14 months where working with many ngo's/non-profits - i looked at their websites, talking to them, information provided by them, annual report etc - i found some patterns or manifestations in this sector. I have also found these patterns of evolutionary stages in the for-the-profit sector as well when i read newspaper/magazine articles or blogs or TV interviews or inter-acting with technology partners during my stint at CRY.
Give below is my collective experiences through some understanding in development jargon:
a. Survival and Protection - 1-15 years - where you will find typically the founders almost determine the course of action. High levels of energies, innovation/creativity at its peak, most of the people who come into the managerial level or founders are typically are generalists and/or loving mothers/father (more likely to find the word 'family'). Performance measurement through carrot and stick. Completely un-systematic, culture of 'WE', 'I' is bad word, poor infrastructure, people turnover is quite high. Collaboration with others are given as it's more of family. Information is not available in a documented fashion or with selected 'few' in their heads. Would likely to have at the end of 10-15 years- Mission and Vision written down.
b. Protection and Development- 16-30 years where you will find more structures and systems evolve; culture of group/committee, high levels of confusion - between old and new (i.e. 'WE' vs. ”I'), looking for specialist/professionals in their own field, questioning old belief's and thinking - thereby resulting in more debates, changing the course or evolution of strategies (at least short-term), questioning non-performance. (more likely to find the word 'organization', 'professionalism', 'strategy' in most of the dialogues). Collaboration with others are formal with more on relationships between Individuals. Information is available but in stand-alone. Founders/old guards take a back-seat - more in mentor's role or move out.
c. Development and Participation -31-45 year - Re-defining structures and systems, high levels of 'I' ness, new ways of thinking, collaboration with others are extremely formal (what is there for me), extreme specialization, People turnover may be lowest, little reverence to history, diversification, define strategic direction/vision (more likely to find the word 'performance, efficiency, bottom-line'), better infrastructure, high level of systems and structures. Mission and Vision will be re-written or enhanced. Information is moving towards integration.
For technologists - one critical aspect is to understand these evolutions and patterns before undertaking a project for creation or implementation.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Technology Projects and Organisation Culture
Over my years of experience in creating/implementing technology projects for non-profits, i was intrigued by both success and failure of technology projects in NGO's.
Initally I and my team was elated of the success of the projects and it's contribution to the organization innovation and growth. On the personal front comes recognition, promotions, salary raises etc. - i was also was very much disturbed when technology projects didn't take off as resources went waste in a shoe-stringed technology budgets of an NGO and also risking which is primarly donor's money.
Many of the technology projects (particularly software projects) don't take off across all sectors (not only in NGO's). Some statistics of various surveys conducted are there in this link.
Conclusion by IT Cortex
Technology project is more likely to be unsuccessful than successful
About 1 out 5 IT projects is likely to bring full satisfaction
The larger the project the more likely the failure
Many attribute this failure to due to various reasons like Poor Project Management, (Didn't do pareto/water-fall analysis!) Vendor Selection, Technology selection, Scope etc. Don't appoint consultant (particuarly from another company or person who is engaging in developing software) to tell you where your software projects went wrong!
Though i partially agree to some of it mentioned above - i felt during my working experiences that culture of both individuals and organisations - also plays a major role with either success or failures.
I would look at people characteristics such as fairness, collaboration with others, enthusiasm for the job, trust from individuals and organisation characteristics such as risk-taking, information-sharing, compliance, team-work, meticulousness,innvoation at the market place.
If i look back of all my previous success and failures on the above characteristics mentioned, following are some pointers:
High level of only organisation characteristics leads to
More of top-down/autocratic decision making style leads little contribution from individuals or groups. Success/failure rate are high, but information and success/failure are with 'few' individuals. Typical technology projects will be of what's the pressing needs - mostly operations which are tedious and time consuming are implemented, so there could be high level of success rates. Most of the projects will be on time and tested platforms and softwares. Technology projects are owned by functional people or few individuals in IT.
High level of only people characteristics leads to
Participation from individuals are high. Most of the time - technology projects are on a committee basis - typical technology projects involves from cross-functional teams, expert consultants looks at integration aspects between systems. Long projects duration for creation or implementation, Technology transition is invitable. Ownership is neither with technology or functional team! - If there is no considerable organisation characteristics - then the projects will remain only on paper or success/failture will be 50:50.
High Level of characteristics from people as well organisation leads to
Ideally, the project will be co-owned by both function and IT where high levels of maturity would be seen. Maturity on both functional and technology design will be seen. There will be functional and technology champions. Both success and failures will be shared jointly. Some of the characteristics of both people and organisation will manifest are:
People Characteristic - Inter-dependence and Trust
Organisation Characteristic - Team-orientation, flexibility, documenting information flow
What could be attributes of software failures in terms of culture?
People Characteristic - Indepedent and mis-trust
Organisation Characteristic - Lack of Co-hesion, information which is closely held and lack of risk-taking
If you have created/implemented technology projects in an NGO and experienced it - could you share what are the learnings from both - success and failures of technology projects?
Initally I and my team was elated of the success of the projects and it's contribution to the organization innovation and growth. On the personal front comes recognition, promotions, salary raises etc. - i was also was very much disturbed when technology projects didn't take off as resources went waste in a shoe-stringed technology budgets of an NGO and also risking which is primarly donor's money.
Many of the technology projects (particularly software projects) don't take off across all sectors (not only in NGO's). Some statistics of various surveys conducted are there in this link.
Conclusion by IT Cortex
Technology project is more likely to be unsuccessful than successful
About 1 out 5 IT projects is likely to bring full satisfaction
The larger the project the more likely the failure
Many attribute this failure to due to various reasons like Poor Project Management, (Didn't do pareto/water-fall analysis!) Vendor Selection, Technology selection, Scope etc. Don't appoint consultant (particuarly from another company or person who is engaging in developing software) to tell you where your software projects went wrong!
Though i partially agree to some of it mentioned above - i felt during my working experiences that culture of both individuals and organisations - also plays a major role with either success or failures.
I would look at people characteristics such as fairness, collaboration with others, enthusiasm for the job, trust from individuals and organisation characteristics such as risk-taking, information-sharing, compliance, team-work, meticulousness,innvoation at the market place.
If i look back of all my previous success and failures on the above characteristics mentioned, following are some pointers:
High level of only organisation characteristics leads to
More of top-down/autocratic decision making style leads little contribution from individuals or groups. Success/failure rate are high, but information and success/failure are with 'few' individuals. Typical technology projects will be of what's the pressing needs - mostly operations which are tedious and time consuming are implemented, so there could be high level of success rates. Most of the projects will be on time and tested platforms and softwares. Technology projects are owned by functional people or few individuals in IT.
High level of only people characteristics leads to
Participation from individuals are high. Most of the time - technology projects are on a committee basis - typical technology projects involves from cross-functional teams, expert consultants looks at integration aspects between systems. Long projects duration for creation or implementation, Technology transition is invitable. Ownership is neither with technology or functional team! - If there is no considerable organisation characteristics - then the projects will remain only on paper or success/failture will be 50:50.
High Level of characteristics from people as well organisation leads to
Ideally, the project will be co-owned by both function and IT where high levels of maturity would be seen. Maturity on both functional and technology design will be seen. There will be functional and technology champions. Both success and failures will be shared jointly. Some of the characteristics of both people and organisation will manifest are:
People Characteristic - Inter-dependence and Trust
Organisation Characteristic - Team-orientation, flexibility, documenting information flow
What could be attributes of software failures in terms of culture?
People Characteristic - Indepedent and mis-trust
Organisation Characteristic - Lack of Co-hesion, information which is closely held and lack of risk-taking
If you have created/implemented technology projects in an NGO and experienced it - could you share what are the learnings from both - success and failures of technology projects?
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Building Websites for NGO's or Non-Profits.. Part 2..
Myself and some of my friends felt it lengthy of last post - will try to be brief in this:
The most important page in the website is the home page. It's like entering a restaurant or house or an office - first view or impression is the best..Even though flash websites or flash introduction is catchy - would advice to avoid it. People don't have patience to watch your beautiful flash sites. If you are still want to use - at least have Skip Intro button placed.
Some of the tips for home page before you design one (either by in-house designer or your advertising agency or others):
Read this http://www.optimizeandprophesize.com/jonathan_mendezs_blog/2007/02/7_rules_for_lan.html
1. Have your organisation Logo displayed prominently and linked to your home page.Tell briefly not more than 5-6 lines about your organisation. If you can't say - then have 5-6 lines and put more link and take them to another page. Make sure that your organisation branding is consistent for both offline and online world.
2. Some things people look for on the Home page of NGO's :
a.What is the problem/issue?
b.How are you addressing it?
c.Success stories (audio/visual will be better) and then call to action button like donate/shop/volunteer button
d.Trust that my resources (money/time) will be used effectively- Annual Reports with Financials, How much of per rupee goes into addressing the problem
2. Don't clutter home page. Make sure that home pages changes (content or images or what's new) at least once in 10 days at least!
3. Have quick links or jump start. Also have Site map displayed with links. Have always links (breadcrumb)/navigation on all inside pages
4. Search button preferably on the right top or middle (people who wants to look for specific information will search). Don't buy or write codes for these. Use Google custom search for free. Put few lines of code given by google on your pages.
5.Make sure that your home page is loaded within 10 seconds. One of the psychology of people who visits websites - which i want you to remember - is time. As it's an age of instant gratification and if they don't find in an minute or two - people will close and move of out your home page. Then you will be wondering like what one of our friends said 'They are coming to the bar and not drinking!'
6. Have contact us probably on top right and have the address, phone number, email id. Don't put forms to fill it up - it kills the user. Put a generic email id which may be spammed (you can also put email id as image to avoid spamming of email id), but users can't click the email id link and write. Make sure that email box is opened daily and checked for follow-up.
7. Use words in key-words or content which are understandable by common people who visit your website and not development or ngo jargon (people still call charity not a rights based advocacy organisation)!
8. Make sure that each page has Page Header on top of the browser. Very important for both search engines and for search within the site.
9. All Images have proper names and tags and are also relevant. Make sure that images and not cut into 2 half and in-between inserting text is a bad idea. When downloading a page - you get bottom image and text and then the top image.
10.Have what's new or latest updates..
We will look at Donate/Shop page another time in this blog..
The most important page in the website is the home page. It's like entering a restaurant or house or an office - first view or impression is the best..Even though flash websites or flash introduction is catchy - would advice to avoid it. People don't have patience to watch your beautiful flash sites. If you are still want to use - at least have Skip Intro button placed.
Some of the tips for home page before you design one (either by in-house designer or your advertising agency or others):
Read this http://www.optimizeandprophesize.com/jonathan_mendezs_blog/2007/02/7_rules_for_lan.html
1. Have your organisation Logo displayed prominently and linked to your home page.Tell briefly not more than 5-6 lines about your organisation. If you can't say - then have 5-6 lines and put more link and take them to another page. Make sure that your organisation branding is consistent for both offline and online world.
2. Some things people look for on the Home page of NGO's :
a.What is the problem/issue?
b.How are you addressing it?
c.Success stories (audio/visual will be better) and then call to action button like donate/shop/volunteer button
d.Trust that my resources (money/time) will be used effectively- Annual Reports with Financials, How much of per rupee goes into addressing the problem
2. Don't clutter home page. Make sure that home pages changes (content or images or what's new) at least once in 10 days at least!
3. Have quick links or jump start. Also have Site map displayed with links. Have always links (breadcrumb)/navigation on all inside pages
4. Search button preferably on the right top or middle (people who wants to look for specific information will search). Don't buy or write codes for these. Use Google custom search for free. Put few lines of code given by google on your pages.
5.Make sure that your home page is loaded within 10 seconds. One of the psychology of people who visits websites - which i want you to remember - is time. As it's an age of instant gratification and if they don't find in an minute or two - people will close and move of out your home page. Then you will be wondering like what one of our friends said 'They are coming to the bar and not drinking!'
6. Have contact us probably on top right and have the address, phone number, email id. Don't put forms to fill it up - it kills the user. Put a generic email id which may be spammed (you can also put email id as image to avoid spamming of email id), but users can't click the email id link and write. Make sure that email box is opened daily and checked for follow-up.
7. Use words in key-words or content which are understandable by common people who visit your website and not development or ngo jargon (people still call charity not a rights based advocacy organisation)!
8. Make sure that each page has Page Header on top of the browser. Very important for both search engines and for search within the site.
9. All Images have proper names and tags and are also relevant. Make sure that images and not cut into 2 half and in-between inserting text is a bad idea. When downloading a page - you get bottom image and text and then the top image.
10.Have what's new or latest updates..
We will look at Donate/Shop page another time in this blog..
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Building Websites and generate donations for NGO's or Non-Profits
Often, i do get enquires through email or phone from many small or medium non-profits or ngo's in India to build websites and most importantly put a donate page for generating donations.
While, I am in-principal not against it, many vendors or partners who are in the business of website building or focussing on technology solutions to non-profit simply advice to put pages quickly,
generate donations page and make money for themselves quickly, while the non-profits after 2-3 months will be wondering why the website or the donation page is not generating any visits or funds.
Ofcourse, you have tech geeks who are volunteers and may help you put up websites without charging a dime and feel good about it..
What the are reasons that your ngo or non-profit should not build the website for:
a. Our non-profits or NGO's need to have website as other ngo's or non-profits have it or it's the in-thing in this technological age.
b. Once you put up website or donation page, people are going to visit your website and give you their monies, it's as simple as that.
c. You have just attended a seminar or workshop on websites or digital marketing - where people gave you enough facts and figures to build the website as a technological tool for your Ngo or non-
profit.
On top of this, if you tell this problem saying that your website or the donation page is not generating any visits or generating donations - to a Search Engine Optimization or Search Engine Marketing company - they will give a list of things which your Ngo or Non-Profits should do and again make dent in your shoe-stringed organisational budgets.
I can hear you saying, yeah i know, but tell me how to go about it? - well here are my answers:
Disclaimer: I am not website designer nor technology solutions company (in the business of building softwares) nor an SEO or SEM company - but having worked in the Non-Profit Sector or NGO for
pretty long time, am giving some tips for this based on my little understanding.
1. Does your non-profit or NGO really require a website?
A silly question to be asked, but i ask the question, because many small non-profits which works at the grass-roots level or depend almost 100% funding on International or National NGO's or Non-
Profits for their programmes, why does they need a website?
2. Does your non-profit or NGO understand brand or website as a medium?
Does your non-profit or NGO know about brand or brand-building or beyond a basic understanding of web as a medium, i would ask people who is responsible for websites (if there is one!) - to put a broad road-map or more fashoinable word 'Web Strategy' before spending any money on any consultant or vendor.
First of all - what's the objective of putting up a website is answer you need to do. Don't say it - write it in a piece of paper and discuss with your people in the organisation or with people who can
understand both non-profits and technology who is not there to rip off the money.
Giving some questions to start with: (answers should not exceed not more than 500 words)
a. What's the primary role of your non-profit/ngo's website?
b. Explan how a website could further your mission of your non-profit/ngo?
3. I have answered your 2nd question, what next?
Who's going to be owner of the website? or who is going to own it? What is the organization structure like in your ngo or non-profit?
Don't say - that we will hire or outsource (fashionable statements these days) website consultants or vendors whose core-comptence is do this. It can be dangerous to outsource to somebody
without you understanding it.
Once you have a person or group/committe (which is a reality in non-profits or ngos!) - then you need to put again a set of questions based on the answers of question 2:
a. What should be website road-map/plan for this year and next year?
b. What should the website contain or broad site-map?
To question b - most people tend to go other ngo or non-profits sites and most of them get inspried or why re-invent the wheel(or copied - to put bluntly). Though i may somewhat agree - some of
recommedations that i will give:
a. Which Non-profit or NGO website names do you remember offhand and go that website?
b. Which non-profit or ngo website do you envy upon?
c. Though the word 'competition' is bad-word in this sector - who is your closest competitor/benchmarked organisation?
Once you taken notes of which one you like and dislikes, now re-write - what the website should contain or broad site-map should be.
Part 2 to be continued.. next week
While, I am in-principal not against it, many vendors or partners who are in the business of website building or focussing on technology solutions to non-profit simply advice to put pages quickly,
generate donations page and make money for themselves quickly, while the non-profits after 2-3 months will be wondering why the website or the donation page is not generating any visits or funds.
Ofcourse, you have tech geeks who are volunteers and may help you put up websites without charging a dime and feel good about it..
What the are reasons that your ngo or non-profit should not build the website for:
a. Our non-profits or NGO's need to have website as other ngo's or non-profits have it or it's the in-thing in this technological age.
b. Once you put up website or donation page, people are going to visit your website and give you their monies, it's as simple as that.
c. You have just attended a seminar or workshop on websites or digital marketing - where people gave you enough facts and figures to build the website as a technological tool for your Ngo or non-
profit.
On top of this, if you tell this problem saying that your website or the donation page is not generating any visits or generating donations - to a Search Engine Optimization or Search Engine Marketing company - they will give a list of things which your Ngo or Non-Profits should do and again make dent in your shoe-stringed organisational budgets.
I can hear you saying, yeah i know, but tell me how to go about it? - well here are my answers:
Disclaimer: I am not website designer nor technology solutions company (in the business of building softwares) nor an SEO or SEM company - but having worked in the Non-Profit Sector or NGO for
pretty long time, am giving some tips for this based on my little understanding.
1. Does your non-profit or NGO really require a website?
A silly question to be asked, but i ask the question, because many small non-profits which works at the grass-roots level or depend almost 100% funding on International or National NGO's or Non-
Profits for their programmes, why does they need a website?
2. Does your non-profit or NGO understand brand or website as a medium?
Does your non-profit or NGO know about brand or brand-building or beyond a basic understanding of web as a medium, i would ask people who is responsible for websites (if there is one!) - to put a broad road-map or more fashoinable word 'Web Strategy' before spending any money on any consultant or vendor.
First of all - what's the objective of putting up a website is answer you need to do. Don't say it - write it in a piece of paper and discuss with your people in the organisation or with people who can
understand both non-profits and technology who is not there to rip off the money.
Giving some questions to start with: (answers should not exceed not more than 500 words)
a. What's the primary role of your non-profit/ngo's website?
b. Explan how a website could further your mission of your non-profit/ngo?
3. I have answered your 2nd question, what next?
Who's going to be owner of the website? or who is going to own it? What is the organization structure like in your ngo or non-profit?
Don't say - that we will hire or outsource (fashionable statements these days) website consultants or vendors whose core-comptence is do this. It can be dangerous to outsource to somebody
without you understanding it.
Once you have a person or group/committe (which is a reality in non-profits or ngos!) - then you need to put again a set of questions based on the answers of question 2:
a. What should be website road-map/plan for this year and next year?
b. What should the website contain or broad site-map?
To question b - most people tend to go other ngo or non-profits sites and most of them get inspried or why re-invent the wheel(or copied - to put bluntly). Though i may somewhat agree - some of
recommedations that i will give:
a. Which Non-profit or NGO website names do you remember offhand and go that website?
b. Which non-profit or ngo website do you envy upon?
c. Though the word 'competition' is bad-word in this sector - who is your closest competitor/benchmarked organisation?
Once you taken notes of which one you like and dislikes, now re-write - what the website should contain or broad site-map should be.
Part 2 to be continued.. next week
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