12: Technology Skills and Tools in SDP
- Page ID
- 45374
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Technology skills that help simplify IF work
- Tools that can simplify IF processes
This chapter is meant to share technology tools that could help an IF improve their efficiency and make life easier. These are not recommendations or product endorsements. Rather, this is a chapter with technology that exists now. Hopefully, it will help IFs better organize their processes and simplify their lives.
Everything independent facilitators do connects to technology.
There are many technology skills and tools that help independent facilitators complete daily tasks. Consider the work that IFs do every day. Then take a moment to think about technology tools that might improve the process.
- Invoicing
- Project management
- Phone calls
- Virtual meetings
NoteL Internet connectivity will be important to anyone meeting with clients in virtual meetings.
Each of these tasks can be easier when we use better tools.
Because technology constantly evolves, it is important to reflect on how to simplify processes to maximize productivity.
Spreadsheets
Using a spreadsheet, like Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel, can help track many tasks. I used ChatGPT to create a list of tasks that spreadsheets could make easier. It provided seventy-four ideas. That is a lot of ways to use a spreadsheet --- too many for many of us.
Here are a few ideas for spreadsheets that could help an IF keep track of important information.
- SDP Annual Budget Tracker
- Spending Plan Builder
- Participant Goal Tracker
- IF Caseload Dashboard
- Invoice and Payment Tracker
- Provider Directory
- Document & Deadline Tracker
- Person-Centered Planning Action Plan
- Employee Management Tracker
- SDP Compliance Calendar
If there is one of these that looks useful, try using an AI chatbot, like Claude or ChatGPT, to create a template with the necessary formulas. Then copy and paste the information into either a Google Sheet or Microsoft Excel workbook. For more help with spreadsheets, there are countless free resources out in the wild. Many community colleges offer online or in-person noncredit software skill building classes.
Artificial Intelligence
Using AI to increase productivity has become part of everyday life. Despite the environmental concerns connected to its electricity and water use, generative artificial intelligence is here to stay. And it can be really useful when working with SDP challenges.
Remember, AI is a tool. It is not a replacement for your actual intelligence.
Anna Mills
Invoicing
There are many ways to generate, submit, and track your invoices. Some IFs use the free tools they already have access to. Others pay for services like Quickbooks or SDP Spark. Regardless of the tools you choose, it is important to decide on a system that truly works for you.
Virtual Meetings
There are lots of ways to meet with your clients. Virtual meetings on platforms like Google Meet, Teams in Outlook, and Zoom all have free options.
Deeper thinking about technology