Self assessment

Tool 2.11 Self-assessment helps the group see whether they are making progress in meeting their aims and objectives. This simple tool has been very helpful among many different Salvation Army groups.

During the group meeting, use the brainstorming tool to agree on the aims and objectives which the group wishes to be assessed against. For example, if it was a youth group undertaking self-assessment they might include factors such as the number of people attending; the range of activities on offer, the quality of the food available; time for prayer; the number of new people invited; the number of people discussing concerns with the leader.

Use a large sheet of paper (flipchart size) and draw the two lines of a graph (usually called X and Y axes). On the Y axis (vertical) write numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 in ascending order. Leave the X axis (the line going across) empty until the group meeting. Having agreed on the factors to be assessed, the group now discusses the ranking to be given to each one, from 0 = extremely disappointing through to 5 = best effort.

After completing the rankings, group members plot this on the graph and then discuss what can be done to improve the factors which are weak.

» If an external donor has been involved there may be other evaluation tools to be used. However it is strongly recommended that the self assessment tool is also used as it will involve all group members in a discussion as to how their task is progressing. This will increase their personal ownership and input into the work.