5 Reasons Your Software Isn’t Working for Your Nonprofit
Have you had enough of your nonprofit’s software? Does it seem slow? Do you find yourself using workarounds just to get day-to-day work done? Or maybe you find that your software can’t keep up with the new things your organization wants to do.
Does any of this sound familiar? If so, you might have outgrown your nonprofit’s software and it might be time for a change.
Then again, it might not be.
In my work with nonprofits over the years, I’ve found that sometimes there are other reasons that software isn’t working for an organization. In fact, there are often things you can do to make your nonprofit’s software work better and even work really well.
5 reasons your software might not be working for your nonprofit (and what to do about it)
1. Your nonprofit has “dirty” data.
Your staff might have entered data inconsistently over the years. You might import data from multiple sources. You might be hanging on to data that you haven’t used in years.
Over time, those data issues start to add up and can make your software slow and turn out sub-optimal results. In fact, even the best nonprofit software won’t work well when it has duplicate and inaccurate data running through it.
So, get a handle on your data to help ensure it’s not a point of failure in your software. Start by merging or deleting duplicate records. Most software has some type of built-in capability to support this. Next, identify records that need additions and corrections, and make the needed changes. Then, update your database policies and procedures. Have a plan in place to clean your data regularly so that you don’t end up back where you started – with dirty data.
This might sound like a lot of work, and it does take time. But the effort is well worth it. If you need help with data cleanup, consider hiring a nonprofit technology consultant like Cathexis Partners to help you get your data in top shape and keep it there.
Get tips to help you tidy your data and keep it clean. Read the guide, 5 Tips for Keeping Your Nonprofit’s Data Clean and Ready to Use
2. You aren’t using all of your software’s features.
You might think that your software isn’t robust enough to keep up with your team’s needs. But consider that you might not be using all of the features available in your software.
If you aren’t sure if you’re using all of your software’s features, then take a look at your software documentation to see what’s available. If your software vendor has a user community, check it to see how your peers are using the software. Ask your software vendor to give you a fresh overview of your software, and be sure to ask about any specific features you need.
Also, consider working with one of your software vendor’s service partners to understand what your software can do and make sure you are optimizing your use of it. For example, Cathexis Partners works with many popular nonprofit software platforms and can help you evaluate and optimize your use of your organization’s software.
3. Your nonprofit’s software doesn’t integrate well with other systems.
You might decide that your nonprofit’s software has the features and functionality that you need. However, if it doesn’t integrate well with your nonprofit’s other key systems, then your data and processes will suffer.
The solution? Re-evaluate your processes and document any points in each process where your software lack solid integration with other system. Work with your IT team or a nonprofit technology consultant like Cathexis Partners to strengthen the integrations. If that’s not possible due to a lack of integration capabilities with your software, then consider switching out one or more systems to improve integrations and the flow of processes and data.
4. Your staff needs more training.
Training is a big factor in your ability to optimize your nonprofit’s software. New employees need training to understand how your software works and how to use it properly. And as your software rolls out new features and functionality, even staff that has already received training will need new and ongoing training to make sure they’re using the software to its fullest.
So, be sure to plan for initial training and ongoing training/support to keep your team working efficiently and confidently. Keep in mind that improving technology training can be relatively easy and affordable if you turn to the right resources. For example, many software vendors offer a variety of free and inexpensive online courses, in-software help menus, and basic customer support. You can also turn to a nonprofit technology partner like Cathexis Partners for custom training and support, which can be especially helpful if you have a highly configured or customized implementation of your software.
5. Your nonprofit really has outgrown the software.
Your nonprofit’s software might have been a great fit for your organization at one time. But after your organization’s goals and processes evolve, it might not be right for your nonprofit anymore.
If you’ve already considered the previously mentioned possible reasons that your software isn’t working for your nonprofit, and your software still isn’t hitting the mark, then it might be time to reevaluate your software needs and find a better fit.
Start by clearly defining what you’re trying to accomplish with the software. Next, identify key challenges in meeting those goals using your current software, and establish a list of must-have features and functionality. Then, create a short list of software to evaluate.
Learn how to find and implement your nonprofit’s software match. Get the guide, The Ultimate Checklist for Selecting Software for Your Nonprofit
If you find yourself struggling with your nonprofit’s software, take some time to consider the five points in this article. You might find that it’s time for new software. Then again, you might find that with a few changes, you already have the software you need.
It can be helpful to work with a nonprofit technology consultant to make sure you’re getting the most out of your software and, when needed, select the right software for your needs. If you’d like help with your nonprofit’s technology strategy, contact Cathexis Partners. We’re ready to help.
