Just like the family dog, technology is often blamed for things that are not its fault. Many of us rush to replace the technology we have. If it isn’t doing what we want, it must be broken. The greatest database in the world can’t save an organization that isn’t functioning well. And expecting it to will only lead to project failure along with a lot of frustration and missed opportunity. This interactive session will explore how to evaluate when your organization has people and processes problems, not technology problems, and what others have done about it. Participants should be prepared to share their experiences, success, and/or failure stories, or their questions about how to address people challenges in their organizations.

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Notes: http://bit.ly/ntcissues
What to do When
Technology Isn’t Your
Problem?
#15NTCrealissues
Shared Notes: bit.ly/ntcissues

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First Things First
Introductions
Us
You
Collaboration Notes: http://bit.ly/ntcissues

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Where Are We Going?
The Tech Success
Triangle
The Quiz (Diagnosis)
Storytelling
Prescription
Image:
Marcelo
Nava

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“Red Flag” Phrases
“Our board member told us to get
this, he loves it at his office.”
“It’s free!”
“Our VISTA/New Sector volunteer
is really smart. She’ll figure this out!
“We need to get this up and
running in the next 3 weeks.”

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The Tech Success Triangle Table

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The Three Legs of the Tech
Success Triangle Table
People
Process
Tech
Mission

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People
• Executive
Sponsorship
• Collaboration
• Technical Skills
• Roles
• Personalities
• Politics
Process
• Governance
• Planning and
Budgeting
• Measurement
• Change
Management
• Responsibility
• Accountability
• Defined
Outcomes
Technology
• Project
Management
• Vendor
Selection
• Evaluation
Criteria
• Capacity to
Maintain

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Take the “Project and Implementation
Problems Diagnostics” Quiz! 5 mins!

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Share your quiz results:
Project: past, current, or planned project
Scene: give your partner the context
• What are/were you trying to accomplish?
• Why?
• How are/were you going to get there?
• Did the outcome align with your plan/goals?
#
Obstacles:
• People
• Process
• Technology
#
Lessons learned?#

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Presenting Problems and
Diagnoses

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Pigs and Chickens
http://indianapublicmedia.org/eartheats/files/2011/01/Eggs-Bacon-940x626.jpg

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Top 10 Reasons Tech
Projects Fail
Lack of:
1. Executive Support
2. User Involvement
3. Experienced Project Manager
4. Clear Business Objectives
5. Minimized Scope
6. Standardized Software Infrastructure
7. Firm Basic Requirements
8. Formal Methodology
9. Reliable Estimates
10. Other (Planning, Ownership, Staff)
Source: The Standish Group

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Top Barriers to Successful
Tech Projects
Source: TAG survey (2012)

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Technology maturity/adoption

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RACI
Responsible
Doers
of
the
work
Accountable
Owner
of
the
work
Consulted
“in
the
loop”
Informed
“in
the
picture”
There can be only one A
Minimize the # of C and I
Document, Publish & Agree on RACI Chart
Adjust to fit situation

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Talking to Leadership
• Mission (underlies all)
• Risk
• Reward
• Hard costs
• Time costs
• Deadlines
• Effect on other priorities, strategic plan,
annual plan.

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Questions?
Robert Weiner
Robert L. Weiner Consulting
robert@rlweiner.com
@Robert_Weiner
Marc Baizman
Salesforce Foundation
mbaizman@salesforce.com
@mbaizman
Tracy Kronzak
BrightStep Partners
tracy@brightsteppartners.com
@TracyKronzak
Dahna Goldstein
Altum
dahna.goldstein@altum.com
@dahnag
http://bit.ly/ntcissuesvote