Assessment of IT management needs
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There are four worksheets in this tool:
- identification of the information management goals and Future IT Needs of the organisation
- an assessment of the current system and staff needs from the individual worker perspective - Individual worker workplace-needs assessment
- an assessment of the current IT system from the overall system perspective - Current IT System Analysis
- an IT development plan format with a budget and resource plan.
Evaluating community IT projects
A useful resource kit specifically for evaluating community IT projects is also available at www.evaluateit.org
Future IT needs
| Organisational/team objectives | How IT could help | What may be different in 3-5 years time |
|---|---|---|
| Example 1: More efficient and useful client records | Database for storage/retrieval of client information and internal and external reporting | System must be able to cope with expected 100% increase in client numbers by 2010. |
| Example 2: Better known and more widely accessible service across the community | Website for service information and agency referral | Increasing home computer usage could be used for self-referral |
Assessing the current IT systems
(a) Individual worker workplace-needs assessment
Individual workers can use this form to think through the detail of their IT usage and what they would like to be different to make their job easier and more productive.
(b) Current IT system analysis
Consider which aspects of your current IT system are working well for your organisation and which are not. List all the components of your IT system in the column headed 'Components of current IT system'. In the next column, indicate whether you need to make a change to this element:
- Is it out of date, not working, not needed, or incompatible with your goals?
- What hardware and software is obsolete?
- Are there any specific issues with your Internet connection?
- How are repairs and maintenance done, and what is the support available?
- Do you have an effective network and website?
Now think about how the IT system you have in place now will cope in the future:
- What policy and practice issues may arise in meeting your IT goals?
- Are your current equipment (hardware) and programs (software) compatible with what you hope to do?
- How many people will be using the equipment now and in 3-5 years, and where will they be located?
- Do you need a network?
- Do you need remote access?
- What training and support will be needed?
IT development and resource plan
| Item | Change required | Target date | Cost of change | How cost will be met? | Action | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| e.g. Network | Move from individual PCs to a network | Mid-2009 | $4,000 to $5,000 | Money set aside from 07-08 and 08-09 budgets | Incorporate into budgets Get quotes and let contract for installation |