Self Assessment and Monitoring Strategies

Here you can find a non-exhaustive inventory of self-assessment tools for cultural heritage organisations.
Do you know a tool that is missing from this list? Let us know by sending a message to indices@platoniq.net

Digital Culture Compass Tracker

About the tool: The Tracker supports arts and heritage organisations in assessing their use of digital across all organisational activities. The Digital Culture Compass was commissioned by Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the UK Government’s Culture is Digital initiative.

What does it cover: The Tracker is divided into 12 sections that cover all operations of a cultural heritage organisation, including Strategy & Governance, Marketing & Communications, HR, IT, Fundraising & Development, and Finance & Operation.

How does it work: In each section, you will be presented with a description of activities where digital aspects could be important to consider. For each activity, you are asked to provide a rating for your current level of digital maturity and define a target goal (where you would like to be in 12 months).

When to use it: The tool is well suited to annually monitor progress and set strategic priorities based on the target goals that you set. It can be particularly useful at the management level to coordinate digital activities across the entire organisation.

The Sustainability Test: A Self-Assessment Tool for Evaluating Digital Sustainability

About the tool: This self-assessment tool is intended to help you identify where you are in your sustainability journey. It is ideal for organisations managing digital collections that would like to know if their digital assets would be available over the long-term. The tool was developed by Kara Van Malssen, AVP’s Managing Director Managing, in collaboration with ICCROM’s Sustaining Digital Heritage (SDH) team. It is based on research carried out as part of “The Digital Imperative: Envisioning the Path to Sustaining Our Collective Digital Heritage.”

What does it cover: The tool starts with an in-depth understanding of the people your organisation serves and their needs. From this, the tool will help you to establish priorities and build solutions that will deliver the value and impact that your stakeholders are looking for.

How does it work: The assessment is organised around four sections: Adopt a Service Mindset, Right-Size Operations, Deliver Value and Demonstrate Impact. In each section, you will find a number of questions and reflection exercises as well as suggestions for possible actions. 

When to use it: The assessment can help plan your next steps, communicate needs to your leadership, set annual priorities and choose future projects to work on.

MOI Framework

About the tool: The MOI Framework is an impact-oriented evaluation framework designed to reflect current issues in the societal impact of museums. It was developed as part of the MOI! Museums of Impact project.

What does it cover: The tool specifically focuses on the societal impact of museums. It can help organisations understand how various external factors are impacting their operations and how to best put resources into active use to improve the impact of operations and services.

How does it work: The framework provides workbooks organised around eight modules. In each workbook, you will be presented with impact statements and asked to evaluate your performance from 1-5. Once you have completed the evaluation process, you will be able to identify development objectives and to create a development plan.

When to use it: Using the framework can be beneficial in various situations, such as while developing a new strategy, or when there are major staff changes, as it can provide a better understanding of the working community and the current situation of different activities. The framework is available in English, Estonian and German.

Microsoft Libraries and Museums Education Transformation Framework

About the tool: The tool aims to offer a holistic technology strategy for libraries and museums to address critical areas and elements of digital transformation.

What does it cover: The assessment allows you to evaluate digital maturity in four areas: Enhanced Visitor Experience, Advanced Discovery, Dynamic Operations and Intelligent Environments. 

How does it work: You will be asked to indicate your level of maturity in different categories as well as indicate your desired target state. At the end, a report will be generated that shows the difference between your current and target state and the recommended solutions to help fulfil your desired capabilities.

When to use it: The assessment is technology-focused and will serve organisations who are interested in exploring how to take their digital infrastructure to the next level.

Country-based and Regional Self-Assessment Tools

• Digital Maturity Self-Assessment Tool by meemoo (Dutch)
• DEN Injoin Innovation Scan (Dutch)