why technology planning (johnson & sauers)

Technology Planning:

the why andthe how

Laura Johnson & Michael Sauers

Nebraska Library Commission

Technology Planning Summer Camp

22-23 August 2011http://www.flickr.com/photos/73662475@N00/2651957971/

Planning

THINK AHEAD

Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood....

PartsInspirationAspirationImaginationPerspirationInformation

Planning

Why Plan?

To reach a port, we must sail--sail, not tie at anchor--sail, not drift.

• Golfers walk the course before a tournament• London Taxi drivers have to pass a

test on city geography• Conductors follow the score• Entrepreneurs follow a business plan• Boy scouts and the Coast Guard are

prepared

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.

Planning in a Nutshell

1. Look around2. What are the needs?3. Which of them could you

address uniquely well?4. How will you accomplish this?

1. Look AroundAt the communityAt the libraryAt the general environment

You gotta’ know the territory…

http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml

http://harvester.census.gov/imls/compare/index.asp

http://www.lrs.org/

http://www.pewinternet.org/topics/Libraries.aspx

http://cari.unl.edu/ruralpoll/report11.shtml

visit.oclc.org/

http://www.boomerproject.com/resources/jumpin_jack.php

The best laid schemes

Gang aft a-gley.o’ mice an’ men

BePreparedTo Change

2. What are the Needs/Wants?

It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.

• Surveys• Focus Groups• Keeping your eyes

open

3. Which Needs/Wants Can the

Library Address Uniquely Well?

Consider:• Library Mission• Library Self-image• Resources–Time–Space–Expertise–Funds–Equipment

• Will

It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and plan of action.

4. How Will You Do It?

Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan. . . upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.

Don’t you just love it when a plan comes

together?

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What a Technology Plan is…

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Your plan should be SMART

SpecificMeasureableAggressive & AttainableResults-orientedTime-bound

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What makes a good plan?

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And what doesn’t?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8344872@N05/5892455733/

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What others will look for


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The players

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmcnab/4478818687

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Resources


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The Structure

• Executive summary• Library description• Library challenges• Current technology environment • Emerging technologies• Web site evaluation• Recommendations


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Executive Summary


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Library Description

http://www.flickr.com/photos/librarycommission/408221255/

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Library Challenges


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CurrentTechnology

http://boingboing.net/2008/04/03/atari-users-desk-cir.html

50http://www.howtogeek.com/news/is-it-time-to-clean-the-computer-yet-image/5932/

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Emerging Technologies

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Which tech do I plan for?


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Staff Competencies http://www.flickr.com/photos/99472898@N00/4856986697/

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Web Site Analysis


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Recommendations

• Priorities• Description of relevant categories• Listing of the specific recommendations– Type (new software, application, hardware)– Cost (including interdependencies)– Benefits

• Recommended timeline• Assessment/results/training needed


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“In the next [time frame], the library will [action or recommendation], which will result in [associated benefits].”


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Resources• Matthews, Joseph R., Technology Planning:

Preparing and Updating a Library Technology Plan: Libraries Unlimited, 2005.

• TechSoup: http://www.techsoup.org/• Technology Planning for E-rate:

http://www.usac.org/sl/applicants/step02/ technology-planning/

• Links:http://delicious.com/travelinlibrarian/techplan

why technology planning (johnson & sauers)

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