Assessing Organizational Readiness

Organizational readiness assessments assist to identify organizations that are more readily able to undertake implementation, to measure change during implementation, and to identify areas where consultation, technical assistance, or other organizational/system support may be needed.

Lehman and colleagues (2002) developed the Organizational Readiness for Change Survey for use in substance abuse treatment organizations to assess the readiness of an organization to implement evidence-based practices. The key areas assessed include:

• Motivational readiness (perceived need for improvement, training needs, pressure for change)
• Institutional resources (office, staffing, training, resources, computer access, electronic communication)
• Staff attributes (value placed on professional growth, efficacy, willingness and ability to influence co-workers, and adaptability)
• Organizational climate (clarity of mission and goals, staff cohesiveness, staff autonomy, openness of communication, level of stress, openness to change)

Organizational readiness instruments that can be applied to a wide range of evidence-based practices in children’s mental health are currently in development. However, many developers of individual evidence-based practices have developed readiness assessments specific to their intervention. As an example, procedures are in place for sites considering Multisystemic Therapy to identify the target population and their needs, and to assess organizational readiness of provider agencies and financing options.

Reference

Lehman, W.E.K., Greener, J.M., & Simpson, D.D. (2002). Assessing organizational readiness for change. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 22 (4), 197-210.