Auto-assessment tool
Submit a tool

DESCRIPTION

An Auto-assessment tool to address how to become a Home of commons identifying tools to be used, implemented and tested from the Online Toolkit for Homes of Commons

The model developed proposes a sequence of actions, activities, and tools that supports research and planning for good practice models. Helping to develop one's own social and political processes. The model is created as a tool through which groups, communities, or collectives can self-assess themselves on the principles and areas of commoning that they are applying in the process for the certification of "homes of commons". The self-assessment tool will help to develop a better and shared understanding of what influences the organisation’s practices and will help to discover new opportunities and paths for future developments of the organization.

This tool aims to DEFINE (1) what is the ecosystem in which we act, and what are the values and actors involved; to DISCOVER (2) our approach to commoning values, and analyse the status quo of our realities and, finally, to DREAM (3) and DESIGN (4) how to enhance commoning practices in our organizations.

STEPS OF APPLICATION

When used periodically,  the Auto-assessment tool helps to understand which of the themes and tools from the online toolkit for Homes of Commons are to be implemented to achieve the transformation best suited to the needs of the community or community group. It can be used to understand what practices are implemented and visualise the status of the needs that are part of the group or community. The auto-assessment can be used a few times, depending on the different needs the groups have, for example once implemented the process or a tool, it can be applied periodically to assess improvements or things that changed. 

This Auto-assessment tool can be conceived as a stand-alone session, or for small group sessions. However, we suggest making two separate sessions and then taking a collective moment to collectively check the choices made while using the tool.

Each group can use this self-assessment tool in a digital, physical, or hybrid meeting with their colleagues. These models are divided into two parts [1,5 h each], the first mapping phase (1-2) and the second planning phase (3-4). 

The first phase aims to address the questions related to each context (1) [30 min] and to visualise the theme (2) [1 h] to be implemented in order to become a Home of Commons.

The second step helps the process to understand the particular challenge(s) of each context and should help to assess how to address them (3) [30 min]

A visual map or fact sheet of the whole decision-making process is the result of the self-assessment tool (4) [1 h], to be considered as a starting point to share with the assembly of each group and make a proposal for action

Total estimated time: 3 hours approx

METHODOLOGY

We suggest the following common methodology based on a template that will be available on different supports depending on the meeting’s mode (offline, hybrid, online).


2.1. Offline
For groups of people meeting physically in a place having printed all the formats.

  • The group (around 5-8 individuals) meets up in a room, and all the participants have the printed version of exercises
  • A person briefly introduces the goal of the meeting and takes up the role to expose the results to the assembly


Step 1- download format (1) DEFINITION one A4 for each of the participants and one to use collectively. Fill individually and then compare the results with the rest of the group. Discuss the points in common and fill in a collective A4.


Step 2- download format (2) DISCOVER one A4 for each of the participants and one to use collectively. Fill individually and then compare the results with the rest of the group. Discuss the points in common and fill in a collective A4.


Step 3- download format (3) DREAM one A4 for all the groups and fill it collectively.


Step 4- download format (4) DESIGN one A4 and use it as a template to make an A0 for all the group and fill it collectively.


2.2.Hybrid

For groups of people meeting online having printed all the formats. 

  • The group (around 5-8 individuals) meets up in a virtual meeting main room, and all the participants have the printed version of exercises
  • A person briefly introduces the goal of the meeting and takes up the role to fill in the boards and expose the results to the assembly


Step 1- download format (1) DEFINITION one A4 for each of the participants and one to use collectively. Fill individually and then compare the results with the rest of the group. Discuss the points in common and fill in a collective A4.

Step 2- download format (2) DISCOVER one A4 for each of the participants and one to use collectively. Fill individually and then compare the results with the rest of the group. Discuss the points in common and fill in a collective A4.

Step 3- download format (3) DREAM one A4 for all the group and fill collectively.

Step 4- download format (4) DESIGN one A4 and use it as a template to make an A0 for all the group and fill it collectively.



2.3. Online

For groups of people meeting online, and using Miro board.

Here you can download the pre-designed Miro board for the Auto-assessment tool. Please notice that unfortunately, you can only open the project layout with a pro-Miro account.


  • The group (around 5-8 individuals) meets up in a Zoom main room, and all the participants are connected to the Miro whiteboard.
  • A person briefly introduces the goal of the meeting and takes up the role to expose the results to the assembly


Step 1- start to the Miro board (1) DEFINITION: each participant completes simultaneously the exercise. Fill it in collectively, discuss the points in common with the rest of the group and fill in the results. 

Step 2- Go to the Miro board (2) DISCOVER: each participant makes a copy of board 2. Fill it in individually and then compare the results with the rest of the group. Discuss the points in common and fill in a collective board 2.

Step 3- Miro board (3) DREAM: each participant completes simultaneously the exercise.  Fill it in collectively, discuss the points in common with the rest of the group and fill in the results. 

Step 4- Miro board (4) DESIGN: each participant completes simultaneously the exercise.  Fill it in collectively, discuss the points in common with the rest of the group and fill in the results.

DOWNLOAD DOCUMENTS FOR DOING THE AUTO-ASSESSMENT

Download guidelines to fulfill the auto-assessment tool

Download format (1) DEFINITION (A4)

Download format (2) DISCOVER (A4)

Download format (3) DREAM (A4)

Download format (4) DESIGN (A4)

Download all the formats

Download Miro boards


Credits: designed by Martina Dandolo commissioned by the European Cultural Foundation

Licence: This tool is under the Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-SA.

It includes the following elements:
BY  – Credit must be given to the creator
NC  – Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted
SA  – Adaptations must be shared under the same terms

Feedback: submit here another version of this tool or send your comments or improvement advice to martinadandolo@gmail.com