Delivering Training and Technical Assistance - Administration for ...

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Each TA provider has its own assessment methods. Listed below are several strategies for assessing anorganization. Using the strategies below in a collaborative effort with the beneficiary organization will yieldthe most accurate results, result in the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data, help identifystrengths of an organization in addition to organizational gaps, and build trust and accountability betweenthe TA provider and beneficiary organization.Organizational Capacity Assessment. An assessment of the organization’s capacity is the most basicelement of an organizational assessment. This is often completed as a self-assessment by one or more person(s)within the beneficiary organization, including the executive director, program director, development director,and board chair. This tool will help the TA provider identify a baseline performance of the beneficiaryorganization and provide initial data needed to measure progress through the TA engagement. There areseveral self-assessments that exist and are ready for use, or you can create your own based on the TA servicesyou are able to provide. A sample self-assessment is included in the appendices.Document Review. The TA provider can ask the beneficiary organization to make a host of documentsavailable for review, allowing the TA provider to conduct its own capacity review and learn about the systemsand processes in place within the beneficiary organization. A sample list of documents to review is providedin the appendices.Site Visit. By visiting the site, the TA provider can see the administrative offices of the beneficiaryorganization, identify the program(s) and clients of the organization, and meet with key staff members ofthe organization. This is a great opportunity to have informal conversations about the daily operations of theorganization and make observations about organizational capacity.Assessment Interview. If the beneficiary organization lacks organizational awareness, the assessment canbecome skewed. Capacity builders often refer to this as “you don’t know what you don’t know.” To addressorganizational awareness issues, the TA provider can conduct a structured assessment interview to assist indetermining the current level of organizational capacity.Leadership Assessment. Because the success of the TA engagement is so dependent on the ability, skills, andattitude of the organization’s leadership, a TA provider should understand how to best support and coach theapplicable individuals. This can be done through a formal assessment, a quick checklist of questions, or aninformal assessment.The provision of TA is about meeting an organization “where it’s at.” With this, the TA provider must createan assessment process that accounts for such factors as the organization’s size, culture, and leadership. If youare working with an emerging organization that has little in place to assess, start by asking some criticaldefining questions about who they are, what they want to do, and what they want to become.If the TA engagement will continue for a long period of time, address several issues, or demand intensiveamounts of time from organizational leadership or the TA provider, it is important to end the analysis phaseand launch the next phase with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and/or a work plan identifyingeach TA action, method of delivery, and person responsible. There is more information about MOUs andwork plans in the next section.ImplementFrom analysis, you will launch into the implementation phase, when you actually provide the TA.At the onset of the implementation phase, it is important to outline a TA engagement through an MOUor work plan. This will ensure that everyone is operating with the same plan and priorities and that the TAprovider has outlined what can realistically be accomplished through the TA engagement. The MOU and/or16
work plan will serve as the roadmap used by the TA provider and beneficiary organization for the length ofthe TA engagement.If the engagement is short (lasting only a couple of days) or is around one key issue or problem, it may be thatan MOU will suffice for defining the engagement. If the engagement is long-term and/or addresses severalissues, a work plan is probably also needed. Use the table below to determine what is appropriate for you.Elements of MOU• Goals for the TA• Role of the TA provider• Responsibilities of the organization receiving TA• Person from each organization that will be heldaccountable• Period of TA engagementElements of WORK PLAN• Goals for the TA• Intended outcomes of the TA• TA activities broken down into actionable steps• Person responsible for each TA activity• Due date for each TA activityFor a sample MOU and work plan, see the appendices.The implementation phase includes the actual delivery of the information and skills that will solve theproblem or improve the performance of the organization. In implementation, the TA provider will gothrough the following steps:1. Prepare. Depending on the nature of the TA, skill level of the TA provider, and familiarity with thebeneficiary organization, the preparation could be limited or intensive. It could include a review oforganizational files, a review of subject matter related to the TA topic, practice on the technologicalplatform (if any) that will be used for the TA engagement, preparation of logistics for an on-site visit,and/or the creation of an agenda, PowerPoint slides, handouts, and activities.2. Deliver. TA delivery is straightforward if you are adequately prepared. Begin by orienting and assessingthe people and situation you are presented with, and then assist by delivering the relevant knowledge andskills.3. Identify next steps. Use the ideas and energy produced during the TA session and document the nextsteps to move the process forward. This could be as simple as identifying the “to-dos” of both the TAprovider and the beneficiary organization, or it could involve creating an action plan or implementationplan based on the TA provided.The implementation phase is the “meat” of the four phases. It requires a great deal of flexibility on the partof the TA provider. You should meet the organization in whatever phase of organizational development theyare in and coach them to a place that works for them, actively listening so that you can meet their individualneeds.EvaluateEvaluating TA services is important for two reasons. It proves your effectiveness and impact as a TA provider,and it helps you improve your skills and services.Evaluation can be done in many ways. You can do a verbal “check-in” on-site immediately following theTA session. You can send out a web-based survey a few days later, or you can request that the beneficiaryorganization complete an evaluation form or interview periodically throughout a long-term engagement.See the additional resources in the appendices for information about low-cost, web-based survey platforms if17
Page 1 and 2: STRENGTHENING NONPROFITS:A Capacity
Page 3 and 4: INTRODUCTIONThe Compassion Capital
Page 5 and 6: Creating a Training PlanIf your org
Page 7 and 8: Key considerations for the ANALYSIS
Page 9 and 10: Key considerations for the IMPLEMEN
Page 11 and 12: • On a sticky note or index card
Page 13 and 14: There is flexibility in how TA is p
Page 15: Alternatively, if you are providing
Page 19 and 20: Examples:• Increased the number
Page 21 and 22: Past Experiences• The organizati
Page 23 and 24: TA providers need to ensure that co
Page 25 and 26: • Collaboration. Providing TA on
Page 27 and 28: PRODUCTZoho Meetinghttp://meeting.z
Page 29 and 30: PRODUCT COST SECURITYADMINSKILLLEVE
Page 31 and 32: 3. Manage Changea. Identify and mit
Page 33 and 34: APPENDIX BWriting Learning Objectiv
Page 35 and 36: APPENDIX DLearning StylesWhen you d
Page 37 and 38: APPENDIX FOrganizational Capacity A
Page 39 and 40: We have the right staff to effectiv
Page 41 and 42: APPENDIX GDocument ReviewThis list
Page 43 and 44: TIME PERIODThis Memorandum of Agree
Page 45 and 46: APPENDIX JChange Readiness Self-Ass
Page 47 and 48: APPENDIX KAdditional ResourcesWeb-b

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