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Distributed Governance Assessment Instrument

(Formerly known as the DGov Score Framework Rating Instrument_Essential)

For DGov Score Framework Version 0.5

Parties

Ledgerback Cooperative
@char
@jsmye

Version

DGAI Version 0.5 (Current as of 2020-07-15)

tags: dgov, governance, blockchain, DAO, digital organizations, decentralized digital organizations, digitalization, organization design, organization effectiveness, organization management, organization dimensions, decentralization, participative, decision-making, collaborative, cooperatives, collectives, associations

Distributed Governance Assessment Instrument

Disclaimer

The Distributed Governance Assessment Instrument (DGAI) has not been tested nor validated by the Solidarity Project research group by any generally accepted means of doing so, as of writing.

This DGAI is still in the development stage and should be used with absolute caution.

Do not rely on the results of this instrument for any future course of action, including without limitation, any legal-, financial-, or career-related courses of action.

For anyone who want to test and validate the instrument, please do so and report your findings to us by leaving a comment here or creating a pull request on our Github repository.

Proposals

Add your proposed changes to the DGAI below:
- …

Orientation

Organizational Forms
- Community Organizations
Information
- Transparency

Project Management Board

Please refer to the Kanban Board for project management of the DGAI.

Purpose

Instrument for assessing the distributed governance practices of digital/internet-native organizations utilizing the DGov Score Framework V0.5's Intra-firm modules, based on four impact areas for Distributed Governance:

Collaborative Governance
Compliance & Transparency
Organization Identity
Member Growth
Unorganized (Questions that need to be organized in one of the 4 above categories or a new category)

This instrument will produce a rating (i.e., a score) for organizations based on the following intra-firm modules:

Organization Dimensions;
Organization Typology; and
Human-centric Management.

–-JS: We definitely need to do a writeup for this aspect

The instrument will primarily be based on multiple-choice (single or multiple answers) questions.

Instructions

Only one answer per question unless stated otherwise.
Refer to the Definitions section if a term is unclear.
Only refer to the terms as defined in Definitions. Do not refer to any third-party source for the definition of a term already defined in this instrument.

Definitions

Terms	Definitions
All rights reserved	Absolute restrictions on the use of outputs
Community reputation	A reputation determined by the totality of the peers (i.e., community), that can be formulated in multiple ways. For example, the community reputation could be some amalgamation of the peer scores, or the peer reputation scores amalgamated with the functional reputation scores
Departments	Existence of formal and informal divisions within an organization.
External Stakeholders	External stakeholders means stakeholders who are not Members of the Organization but are still a core constituency. For example, the customers of a company.
Formalization	The extent to which organizational policies, practices, and ways of completing tasks are standardized
Free	No restrictions whatsoever on the use of outputs
Functional reputation	A reputation determined based on a peer's performance on a specific function (e.g., participation in governance)
Internal Stakeholders	Stakeholders who are Members of the Organization and have influence within the organization. For example, the employees of a company.
Hierarchical	Supervisors in higher units have absolute authority over the decision-making, conflict resolution, information flows, power and resource allocation authority of a subordinate team’s actions in lower units
Horizontal Relationships	a relationship of peers in the same function where one may have authority over other(s) of the same function
Managers	A Member of the Organization who has a subordinate(s) or is tasked with overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Organization
Member	A person or organization (i.e., natural or artificial person) that is affiliated with an Organization by fulfilling the requirements for membership, ownership or employment relationship
Multi-sig	An account or wallet that requires more than one signature to execute a transaction. Additionally, a multi-sig may refer to a smart contract that controls another smart contract, primarily for the safekeeping of funds, that requires more than one signature to execute a transaction.
Network Congestion	When a network’s (often a blockchain or another p2p network) functioning significantly slows down because of more than usual traffic on the network
Newcomer	A Member who has recently joined the Organization and has been affiliated with the Organization for less than 6 months
Newcomer Joining Rate	The rate that Newcomers join the Organization over the past year
Ongoing Member	a Member who has been affiliated with the Organization for more than 6 months
Open Source	Some restrictions on the use of outputs (generally restrictions require attribution, use for non-commercial purposes)
Operational Jurisdiction	Where the primary place of business is for the Organization.
Peer reputation	A reputation determined on a peer-to-peer basis where peers rate the reputation of each other directly
Radical Decentralization	Teams have the full authority to make key decisions about tasks and resource allocation, top management has few, if any, authority to make key decisions, supervisor-subordinate relationship is abolished, and decentralization of authority is Formalized
Selective Decentralization	the freedom of the teams has clear boundaries, beyond which they have to seek permission from their supervisors, who also retain the right to intervene at any moment
Specialization	the extent to which tasks require highly specific (i.e., specialized) work skills
Token	A representation, often digital, of a right, asset, good, service, identifier, or something of value
Vertical Relationships	A relationship of peers in different functions where one has decision-making and conflict resolution authority over the other(s) based on function or the because a peer is in a higher unit than another peer (e.g., manager-subordinate)

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Proposal may be used synonymously with resolution.

Instrument

Basic Information

1. Name of the Organization

2. Organization Type

3. Types of goods and services offered/Sector

4. Year the Organization was formed?

5. The operational jurisdiction of the Organization, if applicable?

6. The formation jurisdiction of the Organization, if applicable?

Collaborative Governance

Voting Power

For Banzhaf Voting Power of DAOstack DAOs, 
please refer to http://deepdao.world/#/app/dashboard.

For more information on the Banzhaf Voting Power Index, 
please refer to the links below:

1. http://www.math.hawaii.edu/~les/m100/lecture4.pdf
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdWgGzetdWI
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCZQ_ZEM7XQ

Refer to this site to calculate the Banzhaf Power Index
7. Range (Highest Weight minus Lowest Weight) of Absolute Banzhaf Power Index.

0 = 10
1 – 3 = 9
4 – 6 = 8
7 – 9 = 7
10 – 12 = 6
13 – 15 = 5
16 – 18 = 4
19 – 21 = 3
22 – 24 = 2
25+ = 1

8. Is the voting system equitable among Members in the Organization?

Yes
No
Unsure

No score.

Dispute Resolution

9. Does the Organization have an internal dispute (i.e., conflict) resolution mechanism?

Yes
No
Unsure

Same scoring for all Yes, No, and Unsure options questions in the Instrument

Yes = 2
No = 1
Unsure = 0

10. Does the Organization’s internal dispute resolution mechanism have any of the following features? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

Membership Size

11. How many Members are in the Organization?

10 < = 1 point
10 – 50 = 2 point
50 – 200 = 4 points
200 – 500 = 6 points
500 – 750 = 6 points
750 – 1000 = 4 points
1000 – 2000 = 2 points

2000 = 1 point

12. How many distinct classes of internal stakeholders exist?

1 - 3 = 2 point
4 - 6 = 4 points
7 - 9 = 2 points

13. Does the Organization have any of the following classes of internal stakeholders? (Chceck all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.

0 points = None of the above

14. How many distinct classes of external stakeholders exist?

1 - 3 = 2 points
4 - 6 = 4 points
7 - 9 = 2 points

15. Does the Organization have any of the following classes of external stakeholders?

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.

0 points = None of the above

16. What is the voter participation rate as a percentage of the total number of Members eligible to vote?

Less than 20% = 1 point
20-30% = 2 points
30 – 40% = 3 points
40 – 50% = 4 points
50 – 60% = 5 points
60 – 70% = 6 points
70 – 80% = 7 points
80 – 90% = 8 points
90 – 100% = 9 points
None of the above = 0 points

17. Does the Organization have any of the following requirements for individual membership? (Check all that apply)

No score

18. Is the identity of a Member made visible during any of the listed activities?

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

19. Does the Organization have an expenses policy that covers any of the following topics? (Check all that apply)

Types of expenses covered
Limits on the amounts of expenses
Member(s) assigned to handle expenses
Documentation needed for expenses
Procedure for approving expenses
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

20. Does the Organization have any of the following requirements for organizational membership? (Check all that apply)

No score

21. How does the Organization identify, manage, and measure its impact on the most material DGov issues? (Check all that apply)

Tracking pre-identified impact metrics based on Organization's mission or principles and values
Identify and measure metrics based on a materiality assessment
Set performance targets/benchmarks for identified material issues and measurements
Measure performance based on key performance indicators over time
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

Governance

22. Does the Organization have any of the following formalized governance documents? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

23. Does the Organization have a reputation system for stakeholders members? (Check all that apply)

Internal Stakeholders
External Stakeholders
None of the above

2 points = check.
0 points = none of the above.

24. Does the Organization's reputation system have any of the following types of reputation? (Check all that apply)

Peer Reputation
Functional Reputation
Community Reputation
None of the above

2 points = check
0 points = None of the above

25. Does the Organization measure functional reputation based on any of the following governance activities?

Number of proposals passed per number of proposals proposed (Passed Proposals / Total Proposals)
Number of proposals passed
Number of proposals proposed
Number of proposals failed
Number of proposals voted for per Number of proposals voted against (Proposals voted for and rate of success of that proposal) (Vote for successful proposal / Votes for all proposals)
Number of proposals voted against
Number of proposals voted against that were unsuccessful
Number of proposals voted for that were successful
None of the above

2 points = check; Capped at 10 points
0 points = None of the above

26. Has the Organization formalized any rules or protocols to deter the emergence of an unaccountable, oligarchic governance structure within the Organization?

Yes
No
Unsure

27. Does the Organization utilize any of the following governance/management systems? (Check all that apply)

No score

28. Does the Organization have an Organization-dedicated treasury (i.e., a fund, an account)?

Yes
No
Unsure

29. Does the Organization use any of the following decision-making protocols? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

30. How many leaders (formal and informal) are in the Organization?

1 = 1 point
2 = 2 points
3 = 3 points
4 = 4 points
5 = 5 points
6 = 6 points
7 = 7 points
8 = 8 points
9 or more = 9 points
None of the Above = 0

31. Does the Organization make any meaningful efforts to develop its Member's leadership skills?

Yes
No
Unsure

32. How are resources owned in the Organization?

Private-owned (solely individual)
Private-owned (solely organization)
Common property (joint ownership)
Open Access (no ownership)
Public-owned (owned by a public entity)
Private-owned (solely owned by a third party(ies))
None of the above

2 points = check.
None of the above = 0

33. How are resources allocated in the Organization?

Price Mechanism
Managerial decision (authority)
Actor-based mobilization of shared resources in commons
None of the above

None of the above = 0 points
Managerial decision = 1 point
Price mechanism = 2 points
Actor-based mobilization in the commons = 3 points

34. Who approves the quality of tasks in the Organization?

Customer
Manager
Peer
None of the above

None of the above = 0 points
Manager = 1 point
Customer = 2 points
Peer = 3 points

35. Does the Authority and Decision-making Power in the Organization fall under any of the following categories?

Bureaucratic (Vertical: Hierarchical; Horizontal: Hierarchical)
Selective Decentralization (Vertical: Hierarchical; Horizontal: Decentralized)
Radical Decentralization (Vertical: Decentralized; Horizontal: Decentralized)
None of the above

Radical Decentralization = 3 points
Selective Decentralization = 2 points
Hierarchical = 1 point
None of the above = 0 points

36. Does the Organization empower its Members to engage in the Organization's governance or operational activities?

Yes
No
Unsure

37. Are Members allowed to make and submit proposals concerning the Organization's governance?

Yes
No
Unsure

38. How is it determined when a proposal officially becomes enforceable in the Organization? (Check all that apply)

By a vote of the Members (majority, supermajority, etc.)
By approval of one or more (>=1) Managers
By approval of one or more (>=1) Leaders
By approval of one or more (>=1) Governing Bodies
By approval of one or more (>=1) team members
Failure to reject within a set timeframe
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
None of the above = 0

39. How do Members participate in the Organization's governance? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check.
None of the above = 0

40. Do Members of the Organization have a set of ethos similar to the Organization’s ethos?

Yes
No
Unsure

41. How do Members of the Organization participate in the problem-solving process? (Check all that apply)

Problem Definition
Generation of Alternatives
Selection and integration of solutions
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

** 42. How is knowledge shared among Members of the Organization? (Check all that apply)**

Datastores (e.g., mind maps, handbooks, blockchain, repositories)
Talks (or some other speaking event)
Team meetings
Community meetings
Asynchronous communication (e.g., email)
Publications of materials on official channels of communication
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

43. How is the strategic direction of the Organization determined? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

44. How are Members of the Organization held accountable in the Organization?

Manager-subordinate accountability
Peer-to-peer accountability
Team Hybrid (peer-to-peer accountability within teams, manager accountability outside of teams)
Customer accountability
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

45. What are the communication channels the Organization uses to communicate with internal stakeholders? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

46. Do the formalized documents of the Organization explicitly require, or empower principles and values in accordance with any of the following?

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

47. How does the Organization motivate Members to act in furtherance of the Organization's goals? (Check all that apply)

Monetary

Salary
Wages
Equity
Staking Tokens for a specific period of time while engaging in activities with the Organization, which may be forfeited for bad behavior
Increased value of investment
None of the above

Non-monetary

Monetary:

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

Non-monetary:

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

48. How does the Organization punish Members for engaging in harmful acts against the Organization (e.g., stealing, corruption)?

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

49. How does the Organization punish Members for engaging in harmful acts against other Members?

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

50. What are the guidance mechanisms the Organization utilizes for Members to know they are acting in furtherance of the Organization’s mission?

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

51. Does the Organization have any formal roles?

Yes
No
Unsure

52. How does the Organization support internal governance? (Check all that apply)

Well-defined roles with decision-making authority and responsibilities outlined
Hold team meetings among members (or managers) about strategy or to make operational decisions
Formal procedures on how to decision-making and executing strategies
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

53. How diverse are the funding and material support sources of the Organization?

2 points = check.
0 points = None of the above.

55. What type of turnover rate does the leadership of the Organization exhibit?

2 points = check.
0 points = None of the above.

56. How diverse are the contributions made by Members to the Organization?

2 points = check.
0 points = None of the above.

57. How many Members are actively contributing to the Organization?

1 – 5 = 1 point
5 – 10 = 2 points
10 – 20 = 3 points
20 – 50 = 4 points
50 – 100 = 5 points
100 – 200 = 6 points
200 – 500 = 7 points
500 – 1000 = 8 points
Greater than 1000 = 9 points
0 points = None of the above

58. How does the Organization integrate Distributed Governance (DGov) into its governance? (Check all that apply)

Member training that includes DGov
Performance reviews that incorporate DGov
Governing body (e.g., a committee) that is tasked with reviewing the Organization's governance regarding DGov
Informally
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

**59. How is DGov incorporated into Member training?

Informally
Specific formal training integrated into new Member training
Specific formal training integrated into ongoing Member training
Member commitment to a mission that articulates DGov either individually or as part of a team
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

Hybrid Governance

60. Does the Organization utilize a market(s) mechanism for governance or operational (e.g., providing a good or service) purposes?

Yes
No
Unsure

61. Does the Organization utilize a hierarchic mechanism for governance or operational purposes? If so, please describe them below.

Yes
No
Unsure

Compliance, Ethics and Transparency

62. Are non-managers of the Organization complying with the formalized (i.e., documented) rules, procedures and protocols of the Organization?

2 points = check.
0 points = None of the above.

63. Are Managers of the Organization complying with the documented rules of the Organization?

2 points = check.
0 points = None of the above.

64. How transparent is the Organization to internal stakeholders?

2 points = check.
0 points = None of the above.

65. How transparent is the Organization to external stakeholders?

2 points = check.
0 points = None of the above.

66. Is the Organization acting in compliance with its Principles and Values?

2 points = check.
0 points = None of the above.

67. How does an Organization determine that a Member is eligible to participate in governance (voting, submitting proposals, etc.)?

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

68. How does the Organization receive feedback from Members on its activities?

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

68. Are the Organization's contracts with third parties accessible to external stakeholders?

Yes
No
Unsure

69. Are the Organization's contracts with third parties accessible by the general public?

Yes
No
Unsure

70. Does the Organization have any informal roles?

Yes
No
Unsure

71. How does the Organization advocate for Members to make ethical decisions? (Check all that apply)

Code of Ethics
Access to advisory board about ethical decisions
Internal controls
None of the Above

2 points = check.
0 points = None of the above.

72. How does the Organization advocate for Members to treat fellow Members with respect and civility? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check.
0 points = None of the above.

73. Does the Organization instruct Members (Newcomer or Ongoing) on the Code of Conduct?

Yes: as a Newcomer Member
Yes: as an Ongoing Member
Yes: on some time basis (e.g., annual) to Members
Yes: in response to a violation of the Code of Conduct
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

74. Does the Organization instruct Members (Newcomer or Ongoing) on the Code of Ethics?

Yes: as a Newcomer
Yes: as an Ongoing
Yes: on some time basis (e.g., annual) to Members
Yes: in response to a violation of the Code of Ethics
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

75. Does the Organization have its financial records reviewed or audited by an independent third party?

Yes: Audited
Yes: Reviewed
Neither
None of the above

Yes: Audited = 2
Yes: Reviewed = 2
Neither = 1
None of the above = 0

76. Does the Organization utilize any of the following internal financial controls? (Check all that apply)

Multi-sig cryptocurrency wallet (can segregate payment authorization and execution)
Access to credit is limited to appropriate personnel
Different access levels in IT systems based on position of member trying to access the data
Requiring certain security clearances or privileges in IT systems
Segregation of accounts receivable and accounts payable duties
Segregation of payment authorization, execution, and/or recordkeeping
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points
0 points = None of the above.

77. What information does the Organization make available and transparent to the general public? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

78. Does the Organization share financial information with Members? (Check all that apply)

All financial information is disclosed to Members periodically (e.g., quarterly, monthly)
All financial information is always disclosed to Members
No formal method for disclosing financial information to Members
Through an educational program for Members
At a general or annual meeting
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

79. Does the Organization share information on its DGov performance with the general public? (Check all that apply)

Sets targets publicly and publicly shares progress on targets
Sharing information on DGov programs and performance
Release of a formal report
Does not report publicly on DGov performance
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

Organization Identity

Organization Identity (mission, principles and values, vision, objectives, culture (internal and external), social reputation, licenses outputs, and the like)

Culture

80. How restrictive is the Organization's licensing of its outputs (e.g., software, hardware)?

Free
Open Source
All Rights Reserved
None of the above

Free = 1 point
Open Source = 2 points
All Rights Reserved = 1 point
0 points = None of the above

81. How many events has the Organization hosted or sponsored related to its mission/purpose in the past year?

1 = 1 point
2 = 2 points
3 = 3 points
4 = 4 points
5 = 5 points
6 = 6 points
7 = 7 points
8 = 8 points
9 or more = 9 points
0 points = None of the above

82. How many events has the Organization hosted or sponsored related to its industry/domain in the past year?

1 = 1 point
2 = 2 points
3 = 3 points
4 = 4 points
5 = 5 points
6 = 6 points
7 = 7 points
8 = 8 points
9 or more = 9 points
0 points = None of the above

83. Do Members of the Organization accept the existence of alternative views within the Organization (i.e., accepting that there can be a plurality of views, but not necessarily agreement with all views)?

Yes
No
Unsure

84. Does the Organization's formal mission statement mention any of the following? (Check all that apply)

General or Specific commitment to adhering to DGov
General or Specific commitment to a social or environmental impact
General or Specific commitment to operating as a specific type of organization
General or Specific commitment to a movement (Web3, Blockchain, Platform Cooperativism, Commons/P2P, etc.)
None of the above

85. Does the Organization explicitly claim any of the following as a benchmark for success? (Check all that apply)

Positive impact on society
Positive impact on the environment
Positive impact on the Web3 space
Positive impact on the wellbeing of Members
Positive impact on the finances
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

86. Does the Organization explicitly state a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion?

Yes
No
Unsure

Data Usage and Privacy

87. Does the Organization have any of the following policies regarding data usage and privacy? (Check all that apply)

Publicly available, formalized data and privacy policy
Customers can determine how their data will be used
Email listings are GDPR compliant
Organization does not collect sensitive information
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

History

88. Has the Organization ever had to deal with a split in the Organization for any of the following reasons? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

89. How many rebrands has the Organization undergone?

1 = 1 point
2 = 2 points
3 = 3 points
4 = 4 points
5 = 5 points
6 = 6 points
7 = 7 points
8 = 8 points
9 or more = 9 points
0 points = None of the above

90. How long has the core team of contributors been with the Organization?

Less than 1 year = 1 point
1 year = 2 points
2 years = 3 points
3 years = 4 points
4 years = 5 points
5 years = 6 points

5 years = 7 points
0 points = None of the above

91. Has the Organization amended its formal documents for any of the following reasons?

Documents were ineffective in achieving predetermined goals
Removing loopholes and vulnerabilities
Removing rights from a class(es) of internal stakeholders
Keeping formal documents up-to-date with changes in the Organization’s environment
Documents prohibited or inhibited effective governance
Adding a class(es) of internal stakeholders
To add an amendment procedure
Financial reasons
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

92. Does the Organization have an amendment procedure outlined in its formal documents?

Yes
No
Unsure

93. How does the Organization monitor Managers for day-to-day operations to ensure they are working towards the Organization's goals? (Check all that apply)

Periodic Electronic Communications (e.g., daily, weekly)
Posting updates to a datastore (e.g., mind maps, handbooks, blockchain, repositories)
Asynchronous communication (e.g., email)
Synchronous communication
Periodic Meetings (e.g., daily, weekly)
Publications of materials on official channels of communication
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

94. Does the Organization have any of the following tokens? (if a token embodies one or more descriptions, please check all applicable descriptions) (Check all that apply)

*Note: The Membership Affiliation Token is for signifying membership affiliation, not for signifying any governance rights in the Organization.*

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

95. Does the Organization use an open value accounting method to track contributions and distribute value to Members?

Yes
No
Unsure

Member Growth

96. Can Members make any of the following contributions to the Organization? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

97. Do Members of the Organization participate in furnishing or producing the Organization's goods and services?

Yes
No
Unsure

98. What is the number of active goods, services and/or projects the Organization has undertaken in the past year?

1 = 1 point
2 = 2 points
3 = 3 points
4 = 4 points
5 = 5 points
6 = 6 points
7 = 7 points
8 = 8 points
9 or more = 9 points
0 points = None of the above

99. What is the number of inactive goods, services and/or projects the Organization is no longer undertaking as of the past year?

1 = 1 point
2 = 2 points
3 = 3 points
4 = 4 points
5 = 5 points
6 = 6 points
7 = 7 points
8 = 8 points
9 or more = 9 points
0 points = None of the above

100. What is the number of planned goods, services and/or projects the Organization expects to undertake?

1 = 1 point
2 = 2 points
3 = 3 points
4 = 4 points
5 = 5 points
6 = 6 points
7 = 7 points
8 = 8 points
9 or more = 9 points
0 points = None of the above

101. What is the number of projects the Organization has completed in the past year?

1 = 1 point
2 = 2 points
3 = 3 points
4 = 4 points
5 = 5 points
6 = 6 points
7 = 7 points
8 = 8 points
9 or more = 9 points
0 points = None of the above

102. How does the Organization aid Members in achieving their professional and career goals? (Check all that apply)

Opportunities to apply skills to projects
Providing education and training opportunities
Helping Members find other career opportunities
Aiding Members to attend career-related events
Providing mentorship opportunities to Members
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
None of the above = 0

103. How does the Organization aid Members in achieving their personal goals? (Check all that apply)

Opportunities to apply skills to projects
Aiding Member’s to achieve their personal missions
Providing mentorship opportunities to Members
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
None of the above = 0

104. Is there an onboarding process for new Members of the Organization?

Yes
No
Unsure

105. What is the Newcomer Joining Rate for the Organization?

1 – 10 = 1 point
10 – 20 = 2 points
20 – 50 = 4 points
50 – 100 = 6 points
100 – 200 = 6 points
200 – 500 = 4 points
500 – 1000 = 2 points

1000 = 1 point
None of the above = 0 points

106. Are there opportunities for Newcomers to socialize with other Newcomers (e.g., Newcomer Orientation)?

Yes
No
Unsure

107. Are there opportunities for Newcomers to socialize with Ongoing Members?

Yes
No
Unsure

108. How do Members of the organization gain greater responsibility and decision-making rights in the Organization?

Consistent quality contributions
Providing capital
Running and winning in an election
Selected by a leader, manager, or governing body
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

109. How does the Organization provide professional growth opportunities for Members? (Check all that apply)

Formal onboarding process for Newcomers
Offer ongoing training on core responsibilities to members for formal roles
Provide cross-skill training for career advancements or transitions
Provide non-career like-skill training
Budgeted for external professional development opportunities (e.g., conferences)
Provide reimbursements or programs for intensive continuing education credentials
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

110. How many training sessions are Newcomers required to undertake? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

111. How does the Organization engage its Members? (Check all that apply)

Members can vote for members of Governing Bodies
Adoption of self-management principles
Formalized feedback and complaint mechanisms
Process(es) for Member input before making operational or strategic decision or changes
Organization tracks input/feedback/complaint mechanism and resolution/implementation rates
Organization conducts member engagement or satisfaction surveys on some time-based basis
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

112. Does the Organization have a formal document concerning Members collaborating with other Members?

Yes
No
Unsure

113. Can Members find and contact other Members through any of the following methods? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

114. Does the Organization have a formal document concerning Members collaborating with third parties?

Yes
No
Unsure

Unorganized

115. Who bears the costs of project failures in the Organization? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

116. Can Members form their own working groups within the Organization?

Yes
No
Unsure

117. Can Members form their own committees within the Organization?

Yes
No
Unsure

118. Do the Organization’s legal documents have a choice of law or governing law clause?

Yes
No
Unsure

119. What are the exit costs for Members who want to leave the Organization? (Check all that apply)

Ownership Cost (e.g., giving up equity)
Financial Cost (e.g., paying to leave)
None
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

120. What kinds of voting system does the Organization have? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

121. Does the Organization have any of the following safeguards to protect Members from liability for actions in furtherance of, and approved by, the Organization? (Check all that apply)

Insurance
Contract (e.g., Exculpatory Agreements)
None
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

122. Does the Organization use any of the following metrics to measure the effectiveness of its governance? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

123. How does the Organization determine who can execute a passed proposal? (Check all that apply)

Executors stated in the proposal
Determined by a governing body
Determined by a vote of the Members
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

124. How many times can a Member re-introduce a failed proposal for consideration?

2 points = check.
0 points = None of the above

125. Are there any penalties associated with reintroducing a failed proposal for consideration?

Yes
No
Unsure

126. Are proposals required to first be approved by one of the following entities before being presented for a vote by the Members?

A governing body
A certain number of approvals or showing of support from Members
A certain number of approvals or showing of support from non-Members
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

127. How long are proposals considered active in the Organization before they fail from lack of traction?

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

128. How are governing bodies held accountable by Members of the Organization?

Oversight governing body (e.g., a board or committee)
Yearly review of activities submitted to Members or oversight governing body
Members can vote out members of the governing bodies (i.e., elections)
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

129. Can Members signal non-binding preferences, positions, or votes on proposals?

Yes
No
Unsure

130. Does the Organization specify the types of governance decisions, and the decision-making procedures thereto, that can be made?

Yes
No
Unsure

131. Are there governance decisions that require any of the following voting requirements?

Less than majority (<50%)
Simple Majority (>50%)
Supermajority (> 60%)
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

132. Does the Organization have any special decision-making protocols in the case of an emergency?

Yes
No
Unsure

133. What are the signaling systems for proposals in the Organization?

Binary (e.g., Yes/No)
Non-binary
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

134. How are Members of the Organization identified (i.e., common identifiers used in the organization)? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

135. If a proposal is accepted, does the proposal need to go through additional rounds of review before becoming an official proposal?

Yes
No
Unsure

136. How many formal roles are there in the Organization?

1 = 1 point
2 = 2 points
3 = 3 points
4 = 4 points
5 = 5 points
6 = 6 points
7 = 7 points
8 = 8 points
9 or more = 9 points
0 points = None of the above

137. Does the Organization have a formal procedure for creating, modifying or destroying groups? (e.g., working groups, governing bodies)

Yes
No
Unsure

138. How many formal partnerships does the Organization have?

1 = 1 point
2 = 2 points
3 = 3 points
4 = 4 points
5 = 5 points
6 = 6 points
7 = 7 points
8 = 8 points
9 or more = 9 points
0 points = None of the above

139. Does the Organization have a partnership with any of the following entities?

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

140. Does the Organization’s governance process describe any of the following regarding proposals? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

141. Does the Organization have any of the following categories of Members?

Volunteers
Core staff
Advisors
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

142. Does the Organization have any templates for governance processes?

Yes
No
Unsure

143. Is there a maximum (or cap) number of Members who can be part of the Organization?

Yes
No
Unsure

144. Can Members vote to freeze membership growth of the Organization?

Yes
No
Unsure

145. If the Organization makes a profit, how is the profit distributed? (Check all that apply)

Equally among all Members
Based on stakeholder class: All stakeholders
Based on stakeholder class: Investors only
Based on stakeholder class: Workers only
Distributed to third parties
Saved in the Organization’s treasury
None of the above

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

Cannot select Based on stakeholder class: All stakeholders option and select Based on stakeholder class: Investors only or Based on stakeholder class: Workers only

146. What are the communication channels Members can use to deliberate and communicate with other Members about proposals? (Check all that apply)

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above

147. Does the Organization's proposal requirements discuss any of the following characteristics?

2 points = check. Capped at 10 points.
0 points = None of the above.

Scoring Guide

How to score your answers to the instrument.
Procedure for scoring answers to the instrument.

General Procedure

Yes/No/Unsure

For Yes/No/Unsure questions, the scoring is as follows:

Yes = 2
No = 1
Unsure = 0

Multi-answer/Checkbox Questions (Check all that apply)

For questions that request you "Check all that apply".

The scoring is as follows:

2 points for each option
None of the above is 0 points
Maximum points for each question is 10 points.

Single-answer Questions

For questions that only request a single answer, the scoring is as follows:

2 points for selecting an option; otherwise
0 points for selecting None of the above.

Scale

The scale is still being developed.

Ideally, we want organizations to have scores above 80%.

Distributed Governance Assessment Instrument

Table of Contents

Disclaimer

Proposals

Orientation

Project Management Board

Purpose

Instructions

Definitions

Instrument

Basic Information

Collaborative Governance

Voting Power

Dispute Resolution

Membership Size

Governance

Monetary

Non-monetary

Hybrid Governance

Compliance, Ethics and Transparency

Organization Identity

Culture

Data Usage and Privacy

History

Member Growth

Unorganized

Scoring Guide

General Procedure

Yes/No/Unsure

Multi-answer/Checkbox Questions (Check all that apply)

Single-answer Questions

Scale