The CEO and Senior Management Team (SMT) are charged with steering an organisation towards a visionary future while continually enhancing services for its members. Key to this, is the development and improvement of CRM systems and website platforms. But how can you ensure that all stakeholders are aligned with this vision? How can you ensure everyone is working towards the same common goal?
Crucially, how can you develop a robust business case with measurable benefits that will gain board approval?
Key Questions for the CEO/SMT
- Current System Audit: Have we conducted a thorough audit to understand the strengths and weaknesses of our current software systems?
- External User Testing: What user testing has been conducted with members and staff?
- Needs Analysis: What analysis ensures that a system upgrade will meet both our needs and those of our members?
- Operational Performance: How will these upgraded platforms enhance our organisation’s operational performance?
- Cost and Payback: What are the costs and payback periods for the upgrades?
- Capability for Self-Examination: Does our organisation possess the capability and objectivity to critically examine itself?
- Best Practices: Have we referenced external standards to ensure our project goals reflect best digital and data practices?
- Budget and Timeline Guidelines: Are there clear, knowledge-based guidelines on budgets, priorities, deliverables, and timescales?
- Change Management: What change management processes need to be implemented?
- Business Case Development: How can we best develop a solid business case for Board approval?
Questions for Staff
- Project Necessity: Is the project truly necessary?
- Service Improvement: How and why will it improve services to members?
- Departmental Performance: How will it enhance my department’s performance?
- Ease of Work: How will it simplify my work life?
- Consultation Adequacy: Has there been sufficient consultation to ensure the project meets my department’s needs?
- Departmental Input: Why hasn’t someone sought our department's viewpoints?
- Contribution Recognition: Is my contribution to the project reflected in my yearly plan and objectives?
Questions for Suppliers
- Client Objectives: What is the client aiming to achieve with this project?
- Realism of Goals: Are their goals, objectives, and timelines realistic and achievable?
- Project Scope: Is the scope of the project realistic?
- Technology Competitiveness: How competitive is our technology in helping them achieve their goals?
- Risk Assessment: What are the risks involved?
- Sufficient Budget: Does the client have sufficient budget to achieve its goals?
- Long-Term Relationship: Would a successful outcome deliver a long-term profitable relationship?
Why work with an independent digital consultancy
The value of an independent data and digital consultancy specializing in membership-based organisations lies in their broad experience, in-depth specialist knowledge, and wide-ranging insights into current market trends. While every organisation is unique, about 90% of our work involves solving critical problems that have already been encountered by similar organisations.
An external consultancy will offer a quick, objective assessment of your project goals, objectives, budgets, and plans before any commitments are made. It provides Board Members with a comprehensive assessment of how the project will deliver your strategic objectives, the associated risks, and costs, offering an authoritative briefing that enables them to make an informed decision on project approval.
Equally important, it can identify ‘quick wins’ from existing systems and technology that can immediately impact operational performance. This, in turn, builds project confidence among both staff and suppliers.
If you’d like to discuss what you have read above, or learn more, then please contact the author, Ben Sturt, founder and lead consultant at Chrysalis Digital at [email protected] or +447469 768 990 or his colleague David Darrah, Business Development Director at [email protected].
