Volume 11 — January 23, 2014
TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES
Using the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool to Assess and Plan for Sustainability
The program sustainability planning process involves 3 phases. Each phase includes a set of steps that must be completed before moving on to the next phase. In the first phase, preparing and assessing the program, the steps are to 1) define the program being assessed and identify participants and 2) complete the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT). In the second phase, developing an Action Plan, the steps are to 1) assemble the planning team; 2) review your program’s mission and purpose; 3) review your PSAT results; 4) determine which program elements need to be maintained, eliminated, or adapted; 5) prioritize the areas of sustainability capacity to address first; and 6) write an Action Plan with specific action steps to strengthen and build your program’s sustainability capacity. In the third phase, taking action, the steps are to 1) implement the Action Plan and 2) reassess sustainability capacity annually.
Figure. The program sustainability planning process.
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