High Performance, High Impact

While every mission driven organization is different, these are the eight interactive pieces that make every one possible and alive.

To give you a starting point for exploring your own organization, six questions have been created for each of the eight. They are available to you below, as an easy self-assessment.

The purpose is to provoke reflection and conversation, which in turn will help you and your colleagues target your efforts at improvement. It is offered with a spirit of optimism and generosity, and ask that you use it with the same spirit.

The self assessment tool below uses a 5 point scale for evaluation.
5 = Exceptional
4 = Good
3 = Fair
2 = Problematic
1 = Roadblock

Self Assessment Tool

Please enter a value between 1 and 5 for each of the questions below.
*All fields are required.

Mission & Purpose
The organization has a brief, clear Mission Statement.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The Mission explains simply why the organization exists, and is about purpose and results, not about activity and methods.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The Mission is timeless; it is not defined by a calendar or passing of time.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The Mission is about something important; it matters a lot to me, and inspires me.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The Mission is ambitious enough that the underlying issues are fully and successfully addressed, the organization is out of business.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The organization’s most important values are reflected in the Mission Statement.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Vision
The organization has a clear statement about what it wants to achieve, in a bounded period of time, contrasting the “future” with “today.”*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The vision clearly contributes to the statement of purpose, and is based in the needs and aspirations of the organization’s constituents.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The vision is inspiring and vivid. It brings energy and challenges everyone to be their best.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Everyone involved believes in the “rightness” of the direction articulated in the vision.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The vision strengthens the organizational culture by relying on and reinforcing its values.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The vision has specific objectives that enable a strategy (plan) to be created.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Strategy
The organization has an integrated plan for achieving its goals.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The plan is accepted by key participants and stakeholders as appropriate and understandable.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The plan communicates the attitudes and behaviors that will support the achievement of the goals.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The plan is based on a clear view of external and internal assets, challenges, and significant factors.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The plan assigns metrics to its goals.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The plan assigns responsibility for key activities.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Architecture
The culture encourages the staff and supporters to live the values and realize the vision.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The structure puts the staff and volunteers in position to succeed, naturally assigns responsibility and roles, and encourages information flow.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The processes are effective and efficient.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The rewards systems encourage the behavior needed to execute on the strategy.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The technology is up to date, dependable, and integrated into our processes.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The organization is fully staffed most of the time, and employee and volunteer turnover is at a healthy rate and for appropriate reasons.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Revenue & Finance
There is adequate enough income to support the strategy.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The income stream is dependable, diversified, and sustainable.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
There are back-up sources of funds should the organization need them.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The organization understands and controls its costs well, and can adjust them when needed.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The organization is capable of fundraising for operations, projects, and capital needs.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
There is a long term financial strategy, and an annual budget; they are realistic, and are essential management tools.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Governance
The Board of Directors is fully staffed.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Board membership contains the skills, community representation, and commitment the organization needs for the next few years.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The Board appropriately focuses on mission, values, policy, and (when appropriate) strategy, and stays out of operational management.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The Board is in touch with the organization, and each other, in between meetings. They are available to the senior leaders when needed.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The Board’s meetings are well planned, efficient, energetic, and produce results.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
There is a healthy pipeline of potential new Board members.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Leadership
The organization is a leader in its field and/or community.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The staff is empowered, properly focused, informed, and committed.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The customers (clients, constituents, etc.) experience the organization as being all about them.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The organization adapts easily and quickly to change, both externally inspired and internally determined.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The organization is managed well functionally: Finance, HR, Technology, Communications, Operations, etc.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The organization is managed well interpersonally: Decision Making, Problem Solving, Conflict Management, Team Development, Learning, etc.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Relationships & Collaboration
The organization understands the “ecosystem” of issues, organizations, politics, and socioeconomics in its community, and is clear about is role and potential in that context.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The organization is focused and intentional on defining the communities it is part of, and stays aware of changes in those communities.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The organization is well known and highly regarded in the communities it resides in and serves.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The organization is easily accessible to its communities and partner organizations, and keeps them informed about its intent and activity.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The organization collaborates with other organizations on vision, strategy, programs, and projects.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
The organization interacts internally and externally in a consistent style, tone, and responsiveness.*
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Name*
First Last
Company / Organization Name*
Email*
Zip Code*
Industry*
Age Range*

Self Assessment Tool

Mission & Purpose

Vision

Strategy

Architecture

Revenue & Finance

Governance

Leadership

Relationships & Collaboration

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