Introduction

Are you considering a digital project?  Digital transformation has been a buzz word in the sector for some time now, but what does it really mean? More importantly, what does it mean for your organisation and how should you go about it?

Why you should attend

At its heart, digital transformation means harnessing the benefits of technology not only to change the way you work, but to exploit the potential of data and automation to do new and different things, and to achieve more with the resources you have.  At least that is the theory – the reality in the membership sector is more often one of organisations struggling to implement a new CRM system or upgrade the website, with costs rocketing and the benefits sometimes seeming very far off.

Effective digital transformation isn’t just about buying IT.  It is firstly about understanding your organisation and the needs of your membership, knowing where you need to be and having a clear strategy to get there.  But even when you have this, and you’ve thought through the digital strategy you need to adopt – whether that be a new CRM or website, process automation or a membership app – how do you go about implementing it?

Technology-related projects are renowned for failure to deliver the desired results. By attending this Masterclass you minimise the risk of: Typical pitfalls inherent in any IT project; Signing up with the wrong solution for your organisation or the wrong supplier; A failed IT project (over half of IT projects have historically failed to achieve their objectives); Underestimating the budget or timescales required; Proceeding with an inappropriate contract; People-related problems around implementing new IT – failing to take the people with you (staff, members, prospects) and ending up with a solution nobody uses; Unrealistic expectations around what the outcome will deliver; Not getting the benefits from your investment; Relying too much on the supplier.

What you will learn

Taking a practical approach we will take you through the areas to consider when implementing effective digital change.  We start by thinking about the problem you are trying to solve – how much is about IT and how much is really about people, culture and process?  We look at the benefits (for the organisation, members and others) that you are trying to achieve and introduce a soft-systems approach for defining and agreeing the scope of your project.

We will take you through the practical steps in the implementation journey, from understanding how much it will cost and getting your ‘Board on board’ with a robust business case; we will look at how to approach procurement in order to get the right solution and supplier for your organisation; the resources you are likely to need; the impact the project will have on your organisation; governance and decision-making and how to plan and manage the change effectively; and most importantly, make sure you realise the benefits you need.

Who should attend?

  • Executive Heads of Associations considering a digital project
  • Directors and Senior Managers responsible for IT-enabled change

Programme

The online-live Masterclass is in two 2-hour sessions, on seperate dates (Thursday 15 October) between 10:00 Hrs - 12:00 GMT (Tuesday 20 October) 
There will also be confidential telephone sessions to consolidate and contextualise the learning (approximately 1 hour), the Masterclass leaders will be in touch with you to arrange these.

PART 1: - THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER
10:00 Welcome, Introductions &  Outline/Objectives for the day

10:10

Why spend money on Digital Transformation or CRM

Exploring with participants in group discussion:    

  • What does digital transformation mean for you?    
  • What problem are you trying to solve?    
  • How much is about IT – and how much is about culture and process?    

Scoping the right Project – taking a Benefits-Based Approach

Introducing the benefits dependency analysis method. 

  • Identifying drivers for change, objectives and benefits    
  • What will success look like?
  • Outcomes, business changes and IT changes needed
  • Solutions and options for scoping the project    

Break

Justifying the Investment – the Business Case

  • Do you need a business case?    
  • What will you need to spend money on?    
  • How much will it cost?    
  • How long will it take?    
  • The benefits – getting your Board/Council on board with the investment.    
12:00

Summary review & Close

PART 2: TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER
10:00 Welcome Back, Objectives for Part 2 and a quick recap of Part 1
10:10

Procuring new Systems

  • A procurement approach that will work for you and get the right suppliers engaged    
  • Evaluating the options and risks – and making a decision    
  • The importance of contracts    

Break

Governance and Decision-Making

  • The importance of effective governance    
  • Models for project governance and putting them in place    

Planning and Initiating the Project    

  • Resources – putting the right team in place    
  • Planning the work    

Managing the Change    
Key areas to focus on   

12:00 Summary review & Close


The Masterclass includes:

  • Course workbook 
  • Session slides (after the session)
  • Follow up confidential telephone sessions to consolidate and contextualise the learning
  • Complimentary pass to Associations UK Congress worth £95.00

Delegate Fees

Early-booker (up to 15 September): GBP 345.00
Price: GBP 395.00
Prices are subject to VAT at 20%