Nonprofit Management Certificate Course Organizational Assessment & Planning: Day 1, Afternoon Karen Curtis, Ph.D.

Conducting Organizational and Environmental Assessments  SWOT or SWOC Analysis  Strengths (Internal)  Weaknesses (Internal)  Opportunities (External)  Threats or Challenges (External)

Why Do Assessment?  Produces Vital Information  Locates Organization in Larger Context  Clarifies “Tension Fields”  Builds Boundary- Spanning Knowledge & Skills  Provides basis for monitoring & evaluation  Builds Capacity for Change

Internal Dimensions  Organizational/Structural  Programs  Personnel (Paid and Unpaid)  Resources (includes physical plant, equipment)  Operational Systems

External Dimensions  Social/Demographic  Economic  Legal/Political  Technological  Cultural  Economic Structure/Market

How to Assess  Primary Data Collection Interviews Focus Groups Surveys/Questionnaires Accreditation or Standards Check Lists Other Group Techniques (Nominal, Delphi, Snow Card)

(More) How to Assess  Secondary Data Collection Internal Reports/Data Published Reports/Data  US Census (see Website links)  UD CADSR Reports (see Website links)  UD CCRS Reports (see Website links)  Kids Count/Families Count reports (see Website links)  Program area reports (see Website links)

SW Analysis Examples  Internal Strengths: skilled staff, good morale, adequate resources, well- connected board, excellent IT system, effective performance measurement & performance management system, effective communications system, central/accessible location, good fiscal management, unique service role, good community connections & reputation, etc.

SW Analysis Examples  Internal Weaknesses: Inadequate resources, inadequate staff capability, poor internal/external communications, unclear mission or vision, weak performance measurement, mission/program misalignment, non- competitive pay scales, low morale, problem managing growth (or decline), inadequate facility, lack of IT capability, weak connection to community, etc.

OT(C) Analysis Examples  External Opportunities: New funding source or program, new potential service partner, change outdated mandate, develop new mandate, pay off or refinance debt, new accreditation or standards compliance, legal/political changes, expanded service area, new or expanded facility, changing demographic or economic factors, increased demand for service, IT systems availability, etc.

OT (C) Analysis Examples  External Threats/Challenges: Changes in legal/political, shifts in funding priorities, reductions in funding, poor organizational image, lack of public support, competition for funding, competition for clients, reduced or increased demand for services, reduced or increased service area, change in mandate, complexity of regulations, lack of/problematic political relationships, etc.

Some (Humorous) Cautions  The Pony Express: Lessons for Modern- Day Restructurers (Handout)  Dilbert does Strategic Planning (Handouts)

Assessment Tools  Bryson Worksheets (see Website links)  Program Analysis Worksheet (Handout) based on Ian MacMillan (1983) “Competitive Strategies for Not-For-Profit Agencies” (see Website links)  Competitors & Allies Worksheet (handout)

Types of External Data  Social/demographic – Population growth, aging of population, women in the workforce, educational attainment, income disparity, migration trends, family size trends, disability status trends  Economic – interest rates, GNP, unemployment rates, wage rates, inflation, corporate mergers, acquisitions

(More) Types of External Data  Legal/political – Laws, regulations & administrative rulings in employment, lobbying, charitable solicitation, health & human services  Technological – Database & information processing (budgeting, accounting, client records, performance measurement & management), Internet use

Types of Internal Data  Organizational – Charter, by-laws, policies, mission, vision, governance relationships  Programs – Monitoring & evaluation, communication with stakeholders  Personnel – Human resources policies, staff development, classification & compensation systems

More Types of Internal Data  Resources – Facility plan and maintenance, equipment plan & maintenance, Financial oversight & control, budgeting & reporting  Operational Systems – Performance measurement & management, financial control, human resources management, internal & external communications, public relations & marketing

Assessment Exercises  Management Issues Discussion Exercise/SWOT Analysis  Since the organization must respond to the external environment, do external assessment (O,T) first, then internal dimensions (S,W)  The relationships among the external and internal factors is KEY (more on this next session)