Tips for Using the P&P Self-Assessment Tool

Alternative Ways of Taking the Assessment

Group Input

• Benefits: The assessment becomes a learning tool when you complete it as a group of staff or board members. You’ll find the “unsure” selection option becomes a much less likely choice.
• Method: Assemble a group of staff and/or board members to take the assessment together, at the same time. Gather around a computer, or use a projector.

Board and E.D. Tango

• Benefits: Unveil issues of communication and organizational knowledge when boards and executive directors take it together. Discuss the results as a learning tool.
• Method: Board members and the executive director take the assessment separately. Compare the results. Where are the discrepancies?

E.D. Tip

Involve the Board

• Benefits: When executive directors involve the board, the results become a learning tool. The board, hopefully, becomes motivated and rallies to satisfy the needs of the organization.
• Method: Present the assessment results to your board and start a discussion. Prioritize your needs and create a plan for implementing new policies and practices.

Other tips to keep in mind:

Remember the Purpose - The purpose of the online assessment tool is to indicate which of your management practices (i.e. basic policies and processes, not programs and abilities) are on par with sector standards, and which are not.

Implementing the Recommended Practices - MANP has a new web tool, “Principles and Practices Online,” aka “P&P Online,” which contains many resources – tools, templates, helpful websites, articles, tools, FAQ, etc. – located directly beside the lists of recommended practices of the Guiding Principles and Practices. We hope this tool will make implementation and research quick and easy.

Don’t Go Numbers-Crazy - Although the report consists of numbers (averages and scoring), concentrate on what the numbers indicate, not on what you need to do to improve your score. Questions to think about: What am I missing? Which practices are most important? Why was I unsure about some practices? What patterns do I see?