You are resourceful, but you’re faced with a chaotic mix of tools and unclear decisions. Many mission-driven teams rely on makeshift solutions. The system isn’t broken; it’s just misaligned, and this misalignment can be more costly than you think.
1. Scrappy Isn’t Sustainable
You built it fast. But now no one knows how it works.
The more workarounds, the more risk.
Lesson: If your system depends on one person, it’s not a system.
2. Friction Hides Until It Hurts
Confusion grows. Trust erodes.
Volunteers leave. Donors hesitate. Staff burn out.
Lesson: What saves time upfront often wastes it long-term.
3. Alignment Costs Less Than Chaos
You don’t need fancy software. You need structure.
Start with the mission. Then design for clarity.
Lesson: Cheap isn’t effective if no one can use it.
You’re not failing. Your system is.
Fix the structure. Free the mission.