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6. Self-assessment checklist
STRATEGIC PLANS
Does the charity have a defined,
over-arching strategic plan?
Have you considered the time
horizon of your strategic plan?
Is the strategy directly aligned to the charity's
stated purpose and public benefit?
Do you introduce new objectives into longerterm
plans to reflect changing circumstances?
Do you avoid repeating strategic objectives
year on year? (without appropriate challenge)
Has the strategy been communicated and
understood at all levels of the organisation
and with external stakeholders?
AIMS
Has the aim been derived by first
establishing an area of significant need?
Is the desired impact, outcome
or output of the aim clear?
Has the aim been assessed against
those of similar organisations?
Do you balance aims between
high and low level?
When setting aims do you assess
whether they are measurable?
ACHIEVEMENT, OMISSIONS,
MEASURABILITY AND REPORTING
Do you regularly assess
progress against the plan?
Has the aim been structured based
upon measurable metrics?
Have you fully reported aims
set in previous years?
Where do you report upon strategic
aims and achievement?
Are you clear on who you are trying to
communicate this information to?
FINANCIAL HEALTH
Is the cost of the strategy quantified
and are the trustees satisfied with this?
Does your going concern disclosure
accurately reflect the financial
health of your charity?
Have you considered your reserves levels,
and unrestricted funding position?
Are current levels of income sustainable?
Have other risk factors, including any
potential external hurdles been considered?