Discovery Process
| NPower's strategic plan calls for a formalized "discovery process" that lays out a framework for finding solutions to the problems that nonprofits face. Much of this work involves pioneering cutting-edge ways for nonprofits to use technology. The goal of our discovery process is to generate solutions that can be easily implemented across the sector, generating a widespread impact. Here's how the process works: |
Collect Information From the Sector [back to top]
Information is collected from a variety of sources. Three or four times a year we’ll participate in Executive Director Roundtable discussions to hear about the challenges facing nonprofit leaders in the community. We’ll also utilize the annual Executive Alliance survey to ask questions of the broader nonprofit community. Finally, we’ll turn to our existing clients for input through the use of a bi-annual survey, and by aggregating the common needs we’ve heard expressed throughout our engagements.
Synthesize Top Five to Ten Issues and Their Proposed Solutions [back to top]
Armed with information on community needs, NPower staff and our CIO Council analyze and aggregate information into the top five to ten issues and proposed solutions.
Build Case Statement [back to top]
Case statements are developed for each potential project. Each statement should identify the problem, its proposed solution, the cost that is anticipated to develop the solution, a potential financial model, and information on the anticipated benefits that the solution will provide to the nonprofit sector.
Prioritize Solutions[back to top]
The Tech Assessment Team (Executive Directors, capacity-builders and nonprofit IT leaders) evaluates each proposal and recommends the top three solutions for immediate prioritization.
Seek Funding[back to top]
The top three projects are assigned a team consisting of NPower staff and volunteers that have both enthusiasm and technical expertise necessary to develop the project. Teams work in partnership with the Director of Community Engagement to explore opportunities for financial support based on the investment priorities of corporate and foundation funders.
Planning and Design[back to top]
The teams then get to work on project planning. This phase includes the publication of a project outline for feedback, hosting design review sessions, identifying metrics for impact and success, and finalizing the functional specifications.
Build and Pilot Solutions [back to top]
The goal of the solutions-building phase is to partner with a client in order to test the solution in real-world application while simultaneously benefiting a local nonprofit. This is where we come to a critical decision point. Based on the level of the projects’ success, solutions will either be scrapped, made a specialized offering that is proposed in specific situations, or made a core service that is heavily marketed. A post-mortem process is conducted to analyze the process against the original criteria for success.
Adapt Solutions, Offer as Core Service [back to top]
If a solution is deemed appropriate as a specialized or core service, it is adapted for broader use. Supporting documentation is produced, including training materials, a distribution and support model, a pricing model, and proposed marketing strategies.
