When you have no plan, everything seems like a good idea. Think about that for a minute. How many times in your business do you end up switching courses, or “trying” out something new just because it *seemed* like a great idea? If you do not have a solid ability to plan, decide, and execute you will waste a lot of time on “good ideas”.
Worse that not having a direction, a lack of planning allows EVERYTHING to become an idea worth considering.
This is a very common issue when it comes to technology decisions. There has never been a plan for technology except, it all needs to work and be secure. No thought about what will provide the businesses the most productivity or how scaling up will affect the technology you have in place today.
A solid technology plan will provide you with:
- Alignment and support for business goals and needs
- A clear framework to make ongoing technology investments that increase productivity
- A consistent user experience that is secure, supportable, and scalable
The lack of a technology plan is easy to spot in most businesses.
There are multiple applications, platforms, and systems floating around that do not necessarily work together. Workarounds for past technology decisions are in place with no potential for resolution. Users are jaded about the “next thing” that technology is going to do for them.
Technology planning should not be confused with capital budgeting. The idea that technology equipment need to be upgraded on a regular basis is not a plan, it’s that old stuff wears out. Often the equipment is replaced to run the same disjointed systems and processes that were already there, which lowers your technology ROI and productivity over time.
If every new technology that comes out seems to be a fit for your business, be very afraid! This is likely a sign that you have no real technology plan in place and could easily end up with shiny object syndrome! Fortunately there is a cure and we at Stringfellow can help. Get in touch with us today and we can get you on the road to recovery.