Increasingly, technology is among an organisation’s most important resources. As such, it needs to be properly managed in order to meet the organisation’s objectives in an efficient way.

Electoral management bodies (EMBs) can follow these steps to benefit from the use of technology:

• conduct detailed needs assessment studies to identify the required environment, regulations, procedures, and tasks
• prepare a business plan with a cost estimate and a benefits/risk analysis
• secure the financing necessary to acquire and maintain the chosen technology
• obtain adequate staff with technical expertise
• secure transportation, warehousing and distribution of equipment, if applicable
• ensure adequate testing procedures before any technology is adopted
• implement proper security procedures
• create a training plan for staff and user training
• establish proper maintenance and backup procedures are in place
• give users access to a help desk
• provide a sufficient supply of peripherals and consumables materials, if applicable
• prepare adequate replacement plans and procedures for equipment that can become obsolet

The importance of managing even common technology is sometimes lost in the rush to adopt new technology and yet this could be essential to a successful implementation process.

There may be additional complications when managing technology for electoral administration. The level of external scrutiny of specific technologies may be high and approval by the legislature as well as other stakeholders in the electoral process may be needed.

The electoral environment is also relatively unusual in that technology might be obtained for a specific electoral event. In that case, the technology may have to perform once only on a specified day, when any system failure would spell disaster. Testing, verification and backup plans have to be thorough and reliable to make sure that the electoral event takes place without a hitch.

The importance of elections and the need for accuracy, security and transparency, management of technology dictates high standards.

The following topics cover the main issues related to managing technology in the electoral environment. Checklists can be developed to identify the main concerns of technology management that enable a successful electoral event.

• Planning and Development Strategies
• Quality Assurance
• Management Structure
• Computer Systems Administration
• Staffing, Training and Support
• Managing Obsolescence
• Evaluation and Audit