Organisational Capacity Assessment
A structured, participatory evaluation of your organisation's governance, programmes, and external relationships — using the three-circle PSAR methodology.
Most NGOs know they have capacity gaps. Fewer know exactly where those gaps sit, how serious they are, and in what order to address them. Our capacity assessment gives you that picture — built on evidence, not assumption.
Clear organisational picture
A structured view of strengths and development areas across governance, programmes, and external relationships — with evidence behind every finding.
Prioritised action plan
Not a list of everything that could be improved — a prioritised, realistic development plan for the next 2–3 years, with specific actions and monitoring indicators.
Participatory process
The assessment involves your whole team — creating shared understanding, surfacing issues that don't appear in documents, and building commitment to the recommendations.
The PSAR method: three circles
PSAR (Participatory, Self-Assessment, Results-oriented) was developed by international experts and adapted for the Ukrainian civil society context. It analyses organisational capacity through three interconnected lenses.
Organisation
Internal systems and governance. Organisational structure and clarity of roles, internal policies, financial management systems, decision-making processes, administrative procedures, and human and material resources.
Activity
Programmes and operational work. Quality and effectiveness of programmes, strategic and operational planning, monitoring systems, impact measurement, and the organisation's ability to adapt to changing conditions.
Relationships
Partnerships and external positioning. Collaboration with other organisations and stakeholders, advocacy and policy influence, external reputation, communications, and relationships with beneficiaries, government, and donors.
An organisation is assessed across all three domains. Strength in one circle cannot compensate for weakness in another — capacity requires balance.
Assessment process
Introductory meeting
Briefing the team on assessment goals, methods, and expected outputs. Agreement on roles, confidentiality, and the logic of the three-circle model.
Staff survey
Structured online questionnaires with separate forms for different roles — leadership, finance, programme staff. Assesses internal organisational state across all three circles.
Facilitated assessment session
Open facilitated session with your team. Scoring on a five-level scale across all three assessment dimensions, with discussion of evidence and disagreements.
External stakeholder interviews
Short structured interviews with 5–7 beneficiaries, partners, and donors — capturing the external view of your organisation's effectiveness and positioning.
Triangulation and report
Cross-checking findings from surveys, facilitation, interviews, and document review. Visual capacity map, prioritised recommendations, and a monitoring framework.
What you receive
Three engagement options
Full external assessment
All five steps with full PARAGRAF involvement — recommended for organisations preparing for significant growth, restructuring, or major donor applications.
Facilitated self-assessment
Your organisation runs the process with our facilitation support — building internal capacity while still getting the rigour of the PSAR methodology.
Combined approach
Internal facilitation combined with external stakeholder interviews — balancing cost, time, and the value of an independent external perspective.
Assess your organisation
Tell us where your organisation is now and what you're trying to achieve. We'll suggest the right assessment format.