When Microsoft released Windows 95 in August 1995, millions of copies were sold in stores worldwide.
That’s right.
Software used to be sold in boxes at stores. And, when it was sold in stores, it was fully baked! You could use it as long as you wanted.
Today? Software changes constantly. Most companies release new features every month.
Think about your project management software. Did it recently get an update with AI? What about your CRM? Your accounting software? How many new features are flooding your inbox every month? We are all inundated with hundreds of new features every year.
Noisy and Overwhelming
Most of these new features are just noise. While I would love to tell you to just ignore it… you can’t. Sorry.
“UGH. Why not, Ted?”
Because you have a team, and they probably like to play with the shiny new features. If you don't act with intention, your tech stack (and process) will become complex and bloated.
Essential and Manageable
Software is at its best when it solves a real and present problem today.
Instead of chasing shiny new features, prioritize essential functions. What do you need software to do today? Everything else can be put off for later. When you’re ready, adopt new features as they become necessary for solving new problems. When you roll out new software to your team, don't just let them loose, dictate the specific features you want them to use, and more importantly the features you want them to ignore.
Don’t let the software tell you what features to use. You decide.
Here's how
Address Current Problems First
Start with the pain points you hear people complaining about. Your executive director can't find anything. Your social media manager is overwhelmed by last-minute requests. Your grant writer is stressed about reporting deadlines because she doesn't have the information she needs to write reports.
This is the smoke.
How can we help your social media manager today? Don't assume you need robust project management software. Would a content request form work? If so, create a Google Form and share it with your team. Keep it short and sweet. Treat every question you add as a papercut in someone else's day. Set the expectation that content requests require a two-week lead time.😅 (Be the boss of your software AND your process.💪)
You've got a new system for content generation and a happy social media manager. Best of all, you didn't add fancy tools or complicated software.
Put Someone in Charge
Your accountant is probably in charge of your accounting software (and might be the only person using it). What about your project management software? Who’s in charge of that?
Make one person a point person for each of your software. That person is responsible for assessing new features against immediate needs, rolling them out to the team, and documenting their use.
Test and Deliver
So, your “Someone in Charge” identified a new feature to solve an immediate challenge. Awesome! Test it first.
Pick a small group of team members to test the feature, collect feedback, iterate, and then roll it out. If it doesn’t work for the pilot group, it won’t work for the whole organization.
Any organization using software faces an overwhelming amount of noise. New platforms, a million updates, flashy features – it’s constant.
But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and it is manageable. I promise.
Let’s Do This Together
Your next chance to join my Nonprofit Tech Cohort is in 2025. During the course, you’ll learn how to take control of your software so that it works for you.
