Status Update: SIA’s Tech Transformation Projects
While we often reference our current project as “The Database Project” this project far transcends the scope of just a database migration.
This capital project, funded by Dream Big Campaign funds, is by far the largest project that SIA will ever take on -- its vision is to transform our technological infrastructure via a three-phase approach:
Phase I: Database Migration & Admin Architecture
Phase II: Resource Library Redefinition & Portal Development
Phase III: Soroptimist.org Website Redesign otherwise known as our "Public-facing" website.
Below is a status update on the largest and most critical phase of SIA’s Technology Transformation: our Database Migration & Architecture.
Phase I: Member Database Status Update
In the process of migrating from our legacy database to a Salesforce CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system, we are rebuilding an entirely new technology infrastructure.
Part of that technology infrastructure includes the Club Admin Portal powered by Salesforce.
In its current state in Phase One, we are focusing on functionality requirements serving Club Leaders and Administrators responsible for the dues renewal process.
Facts & Figures:
We are currently supporting 1,113 clubs in 19 countries and territories, and in six languages.
We have 2,789 Club Presidents, Treasurers and Admins on file.
However, 271 Club Presidents, Treasurers and Admins still have no email address.
AND 6,496 active members have no valid, individual email address on file.
ACTION ITEM: When updating your roster, ensure you have a unique, valid email address for every active member.
Club Presidents, Treasurers and Admins should have access to their Club Profile, translated in all of our six federation languages.
These Club Leaders and Admins are able to manage their club rosters, assign leadership roles and pay dues online.
NOTE: ALL club leaders AND members must have a valid, unique, individual email address in order to access their full member benefits. You no longer need to memorize your Club or Member ID. However, to access the portal and to be included on valuable member communications, you need a valid, unique email address. Club Leaders and Admins, if you notice your Club Roster has incomplete email addresses, please correct ASAP.
The complexity of our business model and requirements is the #1 reason we do NOT want to rush through Phase One.
We love metaphors here at SIA! Much like any rebuild or construction project, when you start to demo the walls, you are likely to expose lots of “fun” surprises like old pipes, funky electrical wiring or missing pieces of the foundation.
Imagine our legacy database was like a 100 year old house… now dare to think about the surprises we uncovered when we started taking down walls and rebuilding the foundation. Not-to-mention, making sure our decades of data made it properly and safely into its new home.
Phase One turned into a long series of subphases requiring custom development to ensure all of our business processes could be supported in the new system.
Because of the complexity of our business model and functionality requirements, we do NOT want to rush through this foundational phase.
With each discovery, build, and sprint, our team takes special care to ensure that our new technology infrastructure supports current-state needs and future-state vision.
Phase I: Update on Enhancements for Club Leaders & Admins
Based on direct feedback from Club Leaders, Admins and Region Offices we are working on a series of enhancement projects centered around the goal of increasing ease and decreasing friction to effectively manage Club Business online.
Developments & Enhancements In Progress:
Resolving system errors (funky technical hiccups that disrupt your tasks).
Increasing ease (you can easily access your roster and invoice).
Refining the payment flow (you can generate and pay invoices without getting stuck).
Improving automations (upon making updates, permission sets or equations are auto-generated).
Adding enhancements (for example: enabling printable or downloadable rosters).
Adjusting permissions (for example: enabling region office staff to process dues on a club’s behalf; enabling region leaders to view club rosters).
Timeline for each iteration depends on the success of the core sprints preceding it. For example, when you’re building the foundation of a house, you don’t want to start painting the walls until the electrical is properly installed.
Each phase of the technology build is critical to ensuring the success of the next phase.
After we solidify our Club Admin and Business workflows, we get to move on to the fun stuff.
Future State Goals:
Increase Community Engagement
Increase Global Connection
Increase Impact Visibility
This includes developing interactive components that increase community engagement, our global connection, and impact visibility.
Future phases also include re-envisioning how we recognize outstanding clubs (like Best in Federation). However, as mentioned above, the timeline for each new release depends on the success of the core sprints preceding it.
We appreciate your patience and grace as we ensure our technology infrastructure or “the foundation of the house” is built with meticulous thought and care.
To learn more about Phases II & III, stay tuned for additional updates in the next Best For Women Newsletter. Until then, be sure to visit our tech resources at: blog.soroptimist.org/techtalks.
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