Software development is complex.
It takes time to assess the needs of end users, yet being nimble and staying ahead of the curve are essential. One of the most effective ways to ensure that a software product is on the right track—and that it evolves as user requirements evolve—is seeking the perspective of an advisory board. Composed of industry experts, stakeholders, and experienced professionals, an advisory board can play a pivotal role in guiding software development to success.
I serve as Executive Director on Blackbaud’s K–12 Advisory Board. Comprised of educators and tech leaders from private and independent schools across the U.S. and Canada, this group consistently works to ensure Blackbaud’s tools meet the critical needs of their teachers, staff, families, and students.
With that in mind, here are 5 reasons I think our work—and the work of any software advisory board—is so essential.
1. Expert Guidance and Insight
Advisory boards bring together a diverse group of experts who provide invaluable guidance and insight. Our board members have a wealth of experience in various aspects of school operations, from technology and data administration to academics, financial management, and advancement. We understand the user experience because we actually use the software in our daily lives. Our collective knowledge helps Blackbaud make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and identify innovative solutions.
A great example of the kind of insight an advisory board can provide is what our group calls the “Shark Tank Session.” Yes, that Shark Tank. At our annual advisory board retreat, board members have seven short minutes to enter the Tank to present an idea, including a Q&A. Blackbaud’s “Sharks” (their education product team, who are brilliant and really not that sharky) take in the presentations and then sequester themselves to review the ideas and consider aspects like viability, cost, impact, and complexity to implement. When they resurface, a winner is declared and Blackbaud’s development team commits to seeing that idea to fruition!
This year’s winner, Paul Tidmore from Parish Episcopal School in Dallas, Texas, pitched a simple but powerful idea to prevent teachers from falling into the pitfalls of complex gradebook calculations. As the school’s Director of Education Technology, Paul inevitably was the one to assist trimester after trimester. He knew there had to be a better way. His pitch was to add guardrails to the existing gradebook setup process—ensuring calculations are correct from the start—and adding a notification to point the teachers in the right direction.
Simple, but impactful.
Thousands of schools use Blackbaud’s gradebook across North America. Implementing Paul’s idea will improve the teacher experience at every one of them. That’s awesome!
2. Strategic Direction
One of the primary roles of an advisory board is to share strategic direction. Each day we walk the halls of our schools and witness our unique pain points. Can software potentially ease them? If we can provide a project’s vision to software developers and then offer feedback on milestones, it’s a true win-win.
An embodiment of this is the unique opportunity to participate in early adopter programs (EAPs). We volunteer to use pre-released versions of the software to test new features, report bugs, and provide critical feedback. I cannot think of a more influential role to have in product direction.
3. Networking and Resources
I feel honored to be surrounded by amazing, brilliant, and sharing individuals on our advisory board, and to participate in the Blackbaud K–12 Community. This is the true power of relationships. At its core, it’s not just our own knowledge and experience, but through relationships that our skills grow exponentially.
Not only do I get to collaborate with my board on a regular basis, but advisory board members also have their own extensive networks and access to resources that can benefit all Blackbaud users. Whether it’s connecting the software development team with potential industry partners, sharing new ideas on how to access SKY API endpoints, or connecting other tools and technologies, the advisory board can open doors that might otherwise go unseen.
4. Accountability and Oversight
Having an advisory board also adds a fresh layer of accountability and oversight. Our board regularly reviews various projects’ progress, provides feedback, and helps the dev team identify and meet its milestones. This accountability helps in maintaining high standards and ensures that the software created is addressing a tangible need and not just developed for development’s sake.
We are the front line to which Blackbaud turns when prioritizing efforts in K–12 software and the first to speak up when something doesn’t hit the mark.
5. Enhancing Credibility
To me, having an advisory board of day-to-day users can significantly enhance a software company’s credibility. It signals to stakeholders, investors, and customers that the project is being overseen by experienced professionals who are committed to its success. Blackbaud hears our concerns, has an open ear to our ideas, and values the input. Yes, this fosters confidence in their software, but also in the hard-working people developing it.
Navigate Challenges Effectively With an Advisory Board
It isn’t overstating to say that advisory boards are indispensable in the realm of software development. Like any endeavor, having expert guidance, strategic direction, accountability, and credibility leads to a better and more impactful product. Leveraging the strengths of an advisory board, software companies like Blackbaud can navigate these challenges more effectively and deliver software that meets and exceeds the needs of ALL its users.
PS. If you’d like to hear more about our “Shark Tank Session” drama, be on the lookout for my next K–12 Blog Post, a fly-on-the-wall perspective of how things truly got ‘sharky’.
