{"id":1389,"date":"2024-11-06T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/conducting-a-technology-audit-for-your-association\/"},"modified":"2025-02-07T11:33:30","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T16:33:30","slug":"conducting-a-technology-audit-for-your-association","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/conducting-a-technology-audit-for-your-association\/","title":{"rendered":"Conducting a Technology Audit for Your Association"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technology can play a key role in your association&#8217;s success, with the right solutions enabling you to streamline operations, track<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/blog\/roe-the-metric-that-matters-in-2024\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0important metrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and improve your processes. You may have already seen the benefits of using tools like a member management system, financial management software, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/recharity.ca\/top-fundraising-software\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fundraising solutions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to streamline your operations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, as your association grows and evolves, your technology needs to evolve along with it. If you find that your organization is ready to make positive changes to its technology stack, the first step is to conduct a thorough technology audit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>A technology audit evaluates your organization\u2019s digital maturity. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It gives you the chance to critically assess your organization\u2019s technology and how you\u2019re using it so that you can make informed improvements that will have a ripple effect on all of your association\u2019s operations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this quick guide, we\u2019ll walk you through the steps of conducting a successful technology audit. Let\u2019s begin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is it time for a technology audit?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Nexus-OmniMedia-When-to-Conduct-Your-Audit.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-10283 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Nexus-OmniMedia-When-to-Conduct-Your-Audit.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"414\" height=\"414\" \/><\/a>Before understanding <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to conduct a technology audit, you must determine <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you need one. If you aren\u2019t experiencing blatant technology roadblocks, you may be asking yourself whether an audit is even necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An audit helps you identify areas of potential improvement in your existing technology stack, meaning it can highlight pain points your team isn\u2019t currently aware of or opportunities to maximize your association\u2019s efficiency. This means there are numerous reasons you might conduct a technology audit. Ask yourself these questions to narrow down your audit needs:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Do you want to see organizational growth and progression by utilizing technology with more capabilities? <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, does your association use disparate systems for member management, fundraising, and program-specific functions? An audit can highlight opportunities to consolidate these tools, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/event-management-tools\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">transitioning to Results at Hand Event Management Software<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or transitioning<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dnlomnimedia.com\/resources\/salesforce-nonprofit-cloud\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud.<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Does your association need to cut costs?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Perhaps your current technology investments account for a large portion of your budget. With a technology audit, your association can reveal cost-saving opportunities.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Is your association receiving the expected benefits from its current technology stack? <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your association is falling short of any of its goals, it\u2019s time to identify the culprit. Whether a solution should streamline administrative tasks or improve member engagement, make sure your technology delivers the benefits it promised when you implemented it.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By asking these critical questions, you can determine whether your association needs a technology audit <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get a head start on identifying areas of focus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Major Benefit of Regular Audits\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conducting regular technology audits can provide your organization with a wealth of benefits, including reducing technical debt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technical debt refers to the time and money required to maintain and rework a technology strategy after cutting corners or not keeping up with it, which can put a lot of strain on your team. By staying on top of your technology, you can keep your operations moving forward instead of spending all of your time and effort trying to make your technology work well.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5 Steps to a Successful Audit\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Nexus-OmniMedia-5-Steps-to-a-Successful-Audit-Design.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10278  alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Nexus-OmniMedia-5-Steps-to-a-Successful-Audit-Design.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"437\" height=\"437\" \/><\/a>Just as your association\u2019s events involve a planning period beforehand and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/blog\/event-feedback-surveys-how-to-conduct-post-event-evaluation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">post-event evaluation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> afterward, there are many steps that take place before and after your technology audit. Here are the five essential steps your audit will involve.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Outline your technology audit goals.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by defining your main goal for the technology audit, and list out any specific objectives you want to achieve. Some potential goals might include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Improving efficiency. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This might involve reducing manual tasks, integrating core systems, optimizing internal communications, evaluating duplicative technology, and determining whether any solutions can be used cross-departmentally.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Increasing member engagement.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Consider setting objectives around your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/blog\/event-promotion-using-text\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">event promotion strategies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, member experience, and data-driven engagement tactics.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tightening data security. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evaluate how your software can help you protect member data and comply with data privacy regulations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you narrow your goals, check their alignment with your association\u2019s long-term strategy. For example, your member engagement goals should include hybrid or digital marketing objectives if your association aims to shift to a completely virtual engagement model in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Budget for the technology audit.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are numerous costs associated with technology audits, and they could span from well before the audit begins to far beyond its conclusion. For example, you might incur additional consulting fees if you choose to improve any of your current systems or fees associated with staff training once your new technology is up and running.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Determine a realistic budget up front by estimating the costs you\u2019ll potentially incur, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consulting fees<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investment in new software, technology upgrades, or custom-built solutions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data migration costs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jitasagroup.com\/jitasa_nonprofit_blog\/nonprofit-budgeting-understand-the-basics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jitasa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the best way to estimate your expenses is to examine your past expenses and gather quotes for new ones. So, let\u2019s say you\u2019ve never hired a consulting firm, but you\u2019re familiar with the costs of implementing a new association management system. Reach out to potential consulting firms for a quote, and use financial data from past technology investments to estimate the cost of necessary technology upgrades.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Hire a consulting firm.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hire an external consultant for your audit to tap into their expertise in association technology. A consultant\u2019s experience and specialized knowledge will ensure you identify your association\u2019s technology needs and receive tailored recommendations for meeting them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When searching for a consulting firm, look for a technology expert with relevant certifications. Your association can rest assured that a certified consultant is credible and reliable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if your association needs guidance in Blackbaud or Salesforce product implementation, development, and maintenance, partnering with a certified consultant ensures you\u2019ll receive their expertise in your specific technology needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Make adjustments to your technology stack.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once the audit is complete, review its findings and identify gaps in your current technology stack. Your team may receive recommendations to replace, consolidate, or upgrade certain tools. For example, let\u2019s say you identified gaps in your event management software. Making necessary adjustments might involve:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Replacing the software with a solution with more robust features<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consolidating tools with similar functions by choosing one comprehensive platform to be utilized cross-departmentally<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upgrading the tool to access new features, like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/blog\/how-to-elevate-your-event-onsite-badge-printing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">badge printing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or venue maps<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If multiple adjustments are needed, prioritize them according to the value they\u2019ll bring to your association. Some improvements are more vital to member engagement and mission fulfillment than others.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Outline procedures for using new technology.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve determined the steps you\u2019ll take to address technology gaps and developed clear procedures for implementing these improvements, outline guidelines for maintaining and troubleshooting new systems. Ensure that these changes are easy for all necessary team members to access.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then, walk through these procedures in thorough staff training to ensure your team knows how to use new tools and processes. Offer various learning experiences and materials, including videos, manuals, and workshops, to accommodate different learning styles. You may want to partner with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dnlomnimedia.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an experienced technology consultant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who can help take your training efforts to the next level by guiding your training lessons and materials creation. Also, implement a schedule for refresher training to ensure staff members stay proficient over time and remain up-to-date with your technology\u2019s latest functionalities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A technology audit is a critical step in your association\u2019s move toward enhanced efficiency, growth, and long-term success. However, the audit process doesn\u2019t end once your team receives a report full of recommendations. It\u2019s up to you to implement the necessary changes and keep an eye on your tech stack as your association\u2019s needs grow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dnlomnimedia.com\/blog\/nonprofit-technology-consulting\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">consultant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can ensure you don\u2019t miss a beat, remaining vigilant in evaluating your resources and making adjustments where necessary. Partner with a consulting firm and set up a technology audit to start assessing and improving your association\u2019s processes.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Author Bio:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AD_4nXf1NzdcQR_hg-RUrUPAGNIT8zEEqSHyLXHgdlqfCiFKlqyfs3BtP276lqxzGljVLWdXbcDcQEvFsa6mCPmH-779tjgT2t9xlgMqNPTiOelr92sR3voysJ3sM7nRFvDrL-cXig3-rxrX4Kvm7zhSkW8KIMI.png\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Carl Diesing, Managing Director \u2013 Carl co-founded DNL OmniMedia in 2006 and has grown the team to accommodate clients with ongoing web development projects. Together DNL OmniMedia has worked with over 100 organizations to assist them with accomplishing their online goals. As Managing Director of DNL OmniMedia, Carl works with nonprofits and their technology to foster fundraising, create awareness, cure disease, and solve social issues. Carl lives in the Hudson Valley with his wife Sarah and their two children Charlie and Evelyn.<span id=\"docs-internal-guid-47f7072f-7fff-7065-5f32-2d1e789bac8e\"><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Technology can play a key role in your association&#8217;s success, with the right solutions enabling you to streamline operations, track\u00a0important metrics, and improve your processes. You may have already seen the benefits of using tools like a member management system, financial management software, or fundraising solutions to streamline your operations.\u00a0 However, as your association grows [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1394,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1389","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1389","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1389"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1389\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1393,"href":"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1389\/revisions\/1393"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1389"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1389"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1389"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}