Welcome to your Spark Implementation!
The main goal of your Spark implementation is to set up an engaging and easy-to-manage site for your users to do all things Goodness-related.
Here's a breakdown of your Spark implementation from start to finish so you know exactly what to expect, who you will meet on the Benevity side and who to involve on your end. Find details on:
- Implementation Phases
- Implementation Components
- Who to involve (on your side)
- Meet the Benevity Team(s)
- Next steps in your project
Implementation Phases
There are several phases to a Spark implementation, each with its own purpose and objectives. Both the Implementation and Technical guides are designed to walk you through all related activities and tasks for each phase.
These are agile and can happen concurrently and we will work with you every step of the way.
Onboarding
The most efficient way to implement Spark is to have everyone ready to engage at the time of kick-off. We'll recommend a Benevity project team and target kick-off date to meet your desired launch date, and work with you to confirm your team is ready and knows what to expect.
- Required resources and availability
- Understanding of all Spark components
Discovery (1 – 2 weeks)
The discovery phase ensures that everyone involved has a full understanding of the details and goals of your program, how they can fit into Spark, and how we can design and build out the required deliverables. This involves a number of Discovery meetings, ranging from 30 – 90 minutes in duration.
- The details of your current program
- Existing charity (cause) partners
- Desired Spark features
- Technical requirements of required features
- Measurable goals and targets for your program, along with strategies and recommendations to help you succeed
Planning (1 week)
Now that we know what we want to achieve, we’ll begin defining requirements and confirming the Project Plan, including:
- Anticipated implementation timeline and projected launch date
- Required deliverables
- Resource allocation, tasks and dependencies
- Communications to get your users excited and make them aware of the program and its benefits
Design (1 – 2 weeks)
Next, we will design your technical and program requirements.
- Configuration details based on feature choices
- Define file formats in partnership with your Technical teams
Configure (1 – 4 weeks)
Once the plan is defined and in place, the Benevity team will work with your technical team to get your instance of Spark ready for launch.
- Configure Spark according to specifications
- Build file formats & transfer processes
Testing (1 – 2 weeks)
Once we’ve set up your site and the required connections, we’re ready to test it out. Testing will ensure the site is configured to accommodate your program. This testing is typically done by your core project team and your technical teams.
- Test file formats and transfers (SSO, MFT, payroll, demographic data)
- Client Configuration testing in Spark site
Launch Readiness (1 – 2 weeks)
In advance of your hard-launch date, we’ll give select people access to your live production site. The main focus here is to get your site ready with engaging, relevant content, and planning the details and communications for your big launch!
- Complete training — we will coach your administrators on how to use and manage the platform
- Create custom content — building and publishing Giving and Volunteering Opportunities, News Items to get your employees excited and engaged from the moment they log in
- Supporting and executing your communications plan
Launch (1 day)
We’re ready to give all your users access to your live production site now! This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for, and culminates in the successful launch of your Spark site.
- Ensure all necessary approvals are in place
- Execute Communications Plan
- Ensure that your users are loaded into the system and have the right access
Post-Launch
After launch, your post-launch teams will work with you grow your program and ensure you’re meeting your goals.
- Reporting training
- Ongoing program reviews
- Incorporation of new features and Enhancements
Implementation Components
There are several pieces of the Spark implementation puzzle, and we refer to these as Components. We typically need to complete all Implementation Phases for each component.
You can find information on the B-Hive for the following components:
Who to Involve (On Your Side)
There are a few people and teams you will need to involve on your end. These teams will help us with the configuration, testing and deployment of the different Components. Review the responsibilities outlined below and consult with the Benevity team if you have any questions about how each of these roles will add value to your implementation. Depending on your organizational structure, some of these roles may be filled by individual people, teams, or a combination.
Note: We will kick-off your Spark implementation once we have someone assigned to each role below, ready to actively engage in the implementation.
Effort estimates below are based on a typical Spark implementation (8 – 12 weeks) and represent the amount of effort required throughout the entire implementation.
- Low: 0 – 10 hours
- Medium: 10 – 30 hours
- High: 30 – 50 hours
Meet the Benevity Team(s)
Throughout your Spark implementation (and beyond!), the following teams that will work with you every step of the way.
Next Steps
Get your teams ready!
A thorough understanding of the implementation phases, components and roles outlined above will ensure you have the engagement of the right teams and that they know what to expect when we kick-off your project!
Plus, one of the best ways to implement Spark as quickly and efficiently as possible is to get the right people involved and to give them pre-work! Several items we work towards during the Implementation are ones that your team can discuss, confirm and share with Benevity prior to kick-off.
Check out the Implementation Guides
We've designed helpful Implementation Guides to help you get a better understanding of each component and the related work for each phase. These guides are great resources for the Program Owner and Project Manager, to review while you’re getting your teams prepared for the upcoming Implementation. You can find guides for the following components
Share the Technical Guides with your Technical Representatives
Share the respective Technical Guides with the confirmed Representatives on your side to ensure they know what is expected of them and what they can do to get a head start.