The Importance of Assessment in Lead by the Name

An assessment in Lead by the Name is an organic process of building a deep relationship with partners. It is grounded in a sincere intention to listen and care, as well as a mindset of giving and receiving. The purpose of an assessment is to define, select, gather, analyze, interpret, and use information to understand the person or organization.

Assessment is the most critical and essential part of any Lead by the Name project. It includes four phases: Relationship Building, Needs Identification, Gap Analysis, and Project Design.

Building a relationship – Building a relationship is essential to our vision. At the end of any project, what we most want is to know them — a continuous mutual encouragement across cultures and countries. To establish that relationship, we need to know their names, families, strengths, and struggles. We create an in-person or online experience where we learn about their vision.

Identifying needs – Most of the time, needs become evident as the relationship takes shape. Getting to know the leader or organization deeply will bring to light their current state, the reality in which they live, and the goals of where they want to go. These areas will help us identify gaps where we can genuinely serve our partners.

Gap Analysis - The importance of this step lies in root-cause analysis and cultural awareness. By understanding these realities, we can identify opportunities for capacity building and how we can serve them better.

Designing a project - We begin to establish outcomes and commitments, understand the risks and constraints, and estimate the budget.

Assessment is not just a one-time meeting or visit. We walk alongside a leader, and it may take time before we start a project. The organizations or leaders we want to partner with are those who have a huge heart to see God at work in their communities. But there may be a lack of opportunities or resources, and that will make it harder to reach their goals. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership and organizational development. That is why we begin with an assessment.