HOW TO ASSESS NGO CAPACITY? A Resource Book on Organisational Assessment

The assessment of organisations is very much like the six blind. It is the same organisation, but conclusions vary dramatically depending on who describes and evaluates, and the purpose of the assessment. To some extent this is necessary. Organisations are complex "animals" that need to be examined from many different perspectives.

As such, there is not only one organisation, but several images of the same organisation depending on people's different perceptions. On the other hand, we believe that a more systematic approach helps to provide a better understanding of organisations and their dynamics.

It is increasingly being realised that NGO performance is linked to and depends on organisational capacity. Capacity building or organisational development have become key aims and strategies in respect of the cooperation between Northern and Southern NGOs.

NGOs in the North and South are thus faced with new challenges. How do they form the basis for constructive collaboration? How do Norwegian NGOs appraise the capacity of their partners, and identify genuine needs and opportunities for change? What methods of self-assessment are available for Southern NGOs starting capacity building efforts? And not least, how should the results and impact of partnership and organisational objectives be measured and evaluated?

The Norwegian Missionary Council – Office for Development Cooperation (BN) has for several years worked with thematic areas like new partnerships, the assessment of organisational sustainability and how to measure results and impact. A Handbook with various models for how to assess organisational sustainability was developed in 1995, along with tools to analyse the handing over process of development projects.1 This book has been used extensively and BN wished to prepare a new and supplementary resource book. While the former analysed organisations in relation to a broad discussion of sustainability, this book goes more inside the organisation and presents models and tools for assessing NGO capacity.

More at:

http://www.iaspartner.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/How-to-asses-NGO-capacity-NMC-1999.pdf