Culminating Project – Milestone One

Introduction:

Organizational Assessment consists of three important factors: Performance,

Capacity, and Motivation. An Organizational Assessment is being able to assess the

strengths and weaknesses to better understand an organization and how it functions

properly. Organizational performance is focused on meeting the guidelines on stated

mission, purpose or goals (Lusthaus, Pg. 10). Having good performance means work is

being performed effectively and efficiently. Organizational capacity is focused on the

ability to use its resources to perform (Lusthaus, Pg. 11). The framework of

organizational capacity requires eight corresponding areas that outline an organization’s

performance. No two organizations are the same, therefore organizational motivation is

focused on the personality of the organization and what drives it to perform (Lusthaus,

Pg. 11).

Organizational Assessment is important to the health of my organization because

it provides different ways to grow a successful organization. Each factor plays an

important role in the assessment and in order for it to succeed; it’s essential that each one

be executed to function. In Organizational Performance, having mission statements

deliver valuable insight into the organization’s purpose and goals (Lusthaus, Pg. 112).

Mission statements are able to provide the effectiveness in performance that my

organization needs. Strategic leadership is important in this organization because it sets

the course for the organization and provides it to stay on track in service of its mission.

This Organizational Capacity component inspires our members to create necessary

changes for this organization to perform and survive (Lusthaus, Pg. 42). History is an

important aspect of Organizational Motivation. With an organization’s history, it charts

important milestones in regards to its origin, growth, awards and achievements, or any

notable changes in structure or leadership (Lusthaus, Pg. 87). The different lifecycle of

this organization is important because the different stages display their growth and

openness to new ideas.

 Reference:

Lusthaus, C., Adrien, M.-H., Anderson G., Carden, F., & Montalvan G. P.

(2002) Organizational Assessment: A Framework for Improving Performance.

Ottawa, ON Canada: International Development Research Centre.