Organizational Culture Assessment
Download Organizational Culture Assessment Worksheet
Get a practical, fillable worksheet to apply this framework to your own strategic challenges.
Download Free WorksheetOrganizational Culture Assessment
Overview
Organizational Culture Assessment is the systematic evaluation of an organization’s shared values, beliefs, behaviors, and practices. It provides insights into “how things are done around here” and helps leaders understand the gap between current culture and desired culture. This understanding is crucial for successful strategy execution, change management, and organizational performance.
Understanding Organizational Culture
What is Organizational Culture?
Schein’s Three Levels of Culture
┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│ Artifacts │ Visible structures
│ (What you see and hear) │ and processes
├─────────────────────────────────┤
│ Espoused Values │ Strategies, goals,
│ (What we say we value) │ philosophies
├─────────────────────────────────┤
│ Basic Assumptions │ Unconscious beliefs,
│ (What we actually believe) │ perceptions, feelings
└─────────────────────────────────┘
Culture Components
1. Values and Beliefs
- Core principles
- Ethical standards
- Priorities and trade-offs
- Success definitions
2. Behaviors and Norms
- Accepted practices
- Unwritten rules
- Communication patterns
- Decision-making styles
3. Symbols and Language
- Stories and myths
- Heroes and role models
- Rituals and ceremonies
- Jargon and terminology
4. Systems and Structures
- Organizational design
- Reward systems
- Control mechanisms
- Physical environment
Culture Assessment Frameworks
1. Competing Values Framework (Cameron & Quinn)
Four Culture Types
Flexibility & Discretion
↑
Clan Culture │ Adhocracy Culture
(Collaborate) │ (Create)
- Family-like │ - Dynamic
- Mentoring │ - Risk-taking
- Nurturing │ - Innovation
│
Internal Focus ←────────┼────────→ External Focus
│
Hierarchy Culture │ Market Culture
(Control) │ (Compete)
- Structured │ - Results-oriented
- Formal │ - Achievement
- Efficiency │ - Competition
↓
Stability & Control
OCAI Assessment Tool
Scoring Example:
Current Culture:
- Clan: 35%
- Adhocracy: 15%
- Market: 30%
- Hierarchy: 20%
Preferred Culture:
- Clan: 25%
- Adhocracy: 30%
- Market: 30%
- Hierarchy: 15%
2. Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions
Six Dimensions
- Power Distance
Low ←─────────────→ High Equality Hierarchy
- Individualism vs. Collectivism
Collectivism ←────→ Individualism Group focus Self focus
- Masculinity vs. Femininity
Feminine ←────────→ Masculine Cooperation Competition
- Uncertainty Avoidance
Low ←─────────────→ High Flexible Structured
- Long-term Orientation
Short-term ←──────→ Long-term Quick wins Persistence
- Indulgence vs. Restraint
Restraint ←───────→ Indulgence Control Freedom
3. Denison Organizational Culture Model
Four Cultural Traits
External Focus:
├── Adaptability
│ ├── Creating change
│ ├── Customer focus
│ └── Organizational learning
├── Mission
│ ├── Strategic direction
│ ├── Goals & objectives
│ └── Vision
Internal Focus:
├── Involvement
│ ├── Empowerment
│ ├── Team orientation
│ └── Capability development
├── Consistency
│ ├── Core values
│ ├── Agreement
│ └── Coordination
4. Cultural Web (Johnson & Scholes)
Six Elements
Stories & Symbols
↓
Rituals ← Paradigm → Power
↑
Control Systems
↑
Organizational
Structure
Assessment Methods
1. Quantitative Methods
Culture Surveys
Survey Design Elements:
- Likert scale questions
- Demographic segmentation
- Anonymous responses
- Statistical analysis
- Benchmarking capability
Sample Questions:
1. "Innovation is encouraged and rewarded"
Strongly Disagree 1-2-3-4-5 Strongly Agree
2. "Decision-making is transparent"
Strongly Disagree 1-2-3-4-5 Strongly Agree
Pulse Surveys
Frequency: Monthly/Quarterly
Length: 5-10 questions
Focus: Specific themes
Response rate target: >70%
360-Degree Feedback
Perspectives:
- Self-assessment
- Manager feedback
- Peer feedback
- Direct report feedback
- Cultural behavior focus
2. Qualitative Methods
Focus Groups
Structure:
- 6-10 participants
- Homogeneous groups
- Semi-structured discussion
- 60-90 minutes
- Professional facilitation
Topics:
- Values in practice
- Success stories
- Challenges
- Improvement ideas
In-Depth Interviews
Interview Guide:
1. Background and context
2. Cultural observations
3. Values and behaviors
4. Success factors
5. Barriers and challenges
6. Recommendations
Ethnographic Observation
Observation Areas:
- Meeting dynamics
- Decision processes
- Communication patterns
- Physical workspace
- Informal interactions
- Rituals and routines
3. Mixed Methods
Culture Audit Process
Phase 1: Quantitative Survey
↓
Phase 2: Qualitative Deep Dive
↓
Phase 3: Artifact Analysis
↓
Phase 4: Integration & Insights
Assessment Process
Phase 1: Planning and Preparation
1. Define Objectives
Key Questions:
□ Why assess culture now?
□ What decisions will this inform?
□ Who are the stakeholders?
□ What's the scope?
□ How will results be used?
2. Select Framework and Tools
Decision Criteria:
- Organizational context
- Industry norms
- Assessment goals
- Resource availability
- Timeline constraints
3. Stakeholder Engagement
Engagement Plan:
├── Leadership alignment
├── Communication strategy
├── Union/works council consultation
├── Manager briefing
└── Employee communication
Phase 2: Data Collection
Survey Administration
Best Practices:
- Clear communication of purpose
- Guaranteed anonymity
- Multiple reminders
- Easy access (mobile-friendly)
- Multilingual options
- Adequate time window
Interview/Focus Group Execution
Facilitation Tips:
- Safe environment
- Active listening
- Probing questions
- Balanced participation
- Detailed notes
- Recording (with permission)
Phase 3: Analysis and Interpretation
Quantitative Analysis
Analysis Methods:
- Descriptive statistics
- Segmentation analysis
- Correlation analysis
- Gap analysis
- Benchmarking
- Trend analysis
Qualitative Analysis
Coding Process:
1. Transcribe data
2. Initial coding
3. Theme identification
4. Pattern recognition
5. Quote selection
6. Narrative development
Integration
Triangulation:
Survey Data + Interview Insights + Observations
↓
Comprehensive View
↓
Key Findings
Phase 4: Reporting and Action Planning
Culture Assessment Report
Report Structure:
1. Executive Summary
2. Methodology
3. Current Culture Profile
4. Strengths and Assets
5. Gaps and Challenges
6. Subculture Variations
7. Recommendations
8. Action Planning Framework
Visual Reporting
Culture Dashboard:
┌────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Current vs. Desired Culture │
├────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Innovation ████████░░ → ████████│
│ Collaboration ██████░░░░ → ████████│
│ Accountability████████░░ → ██████░░│
│ Customer Focus██████░░░░ → ████████│
│ Agility ████░░░░░░ → ████████│
└────────────────────────────────────┘
Culture Change Planning
Gap Analysis
Culture Gap Assessment:
Current Desired Gap Priority
Innovation 3.2 4.5 1.3 High
Collaboration 2.8 4.2 1.4 High
Risk-taking 2.5 3.8 1.3 Medium
Customer focus 3.5 4.6 1.1 High
Efficiency 4.1 3.5 -0.6 Low
Change Levers
1. Leadership Behaviors
Actions:
- Role modeling
- Story telling
- Decision-making style
- Communication approach
- Recognition practices
2. Systems and Processes
Areas to Align:
- Performance management
- Recruitment and selection
- Promotion criteria
- Reward systems
- Work processes
3. Structure and Governance
Considerations:
- Organizational design
- Reporting relationships
- Decision rights
- Meeting structures
- Communication channels
4. Symbols and Environment
Elements:
- Physical workspace
- Dress code
- Language and terminology
- Celebrations
- Visual displays
Culture Change Roadmap
Year 1: Foundation
Q1: Assessment and awareness
Q2: Leadership alignment
Q3: Quick wins
Q4: System changes begin
Year 2: Momentum
Q1-Q2: Major initiatives
Q3-Q4: Embed changes
Year 3: Sustainability
Continuous reinforcement
Measurement and adjustment
Measuring Culture Change
Leading Indicators
Behavioral Metrics:
- Meeting effectiveness scores
- Cross-functional collaboration instances
- Innovation submissions
- Employee recognition frequency
- Learning participation rates
Lagging Indicators
Outcome Metrics:
- Employee engagement scores
- Turnover rates
- Customer satisfaction
- Financial performance
- Innovation revenue %
Culture Health Monitor
Monthly Culture Pulse:
┌─────────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┐
│ Metric │ Target │ Actual │ Trend │
├─────────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤
│Engagement │ 80% │ 75% │ ↑ │
│Innovation │ 50 │ 45 │ → │
│Collaboration│ 4.0 │ 3.8 │ ↑ │
│Trust │ 85% │ 82% │ ↑ │
└─────────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┘
Special Considerations
Mergers and Acquisitions
Culture Due Diligence:
├── Pre-merger assessment
├── Cultural compatibility analysis
├── Integration planning
├── Combined culture design
└── Post-merger monitoring
Global Organizations
Multi-Cultural Considerations:
- National culture overlay
- Local adaptations
- Core vs. flex elements
- Language barriers
- Virtual team dynamics
Digital Transformation
Digital Culture Elements:
- Data-driven mindset
- Agile ways of working
- Digital literacy
- Innovation orientation
- Customer centricity
Common Pitfalls
1. Surface-Level Assessment
Focusing only on artifacts without understanding underlying assumptions
2. Leadership Disconnect
Leaders’ perception differs significantly from employee reality
3. One-Size-Fits-All
Ignoring subcultures and departmental variations
4. Analysis Paralysis
Over-analyzing without taking action
5. Change Fatigue
Too many culture initiatives without sustained focus
Best Practices
Assessment Phase
- Ensure psychological safety
- Use multiple methods
- Include all levels
- Consider timing carefully
- Communicate purpose clearly
Analysis Phase
- Look for patterns
- Validate findings
- Segment appropriately
- Compare to strategy
- Identify root causes
Action Phase
- Start with leadership
- Focus on vital few
- Align all systems
- Celebrate progress
- Sustain momentum
Technology and Tools
Assessment Platforms
Categories:
├── Survey Tools
│ ├── Culture Amp
│ ├── Glint
│ └── 15Five
├── Analytics Platforms
│ ├── Workday Peakon
│ ├── Perceptyx
│ └── Willis Towers Watson
└── Specialized Culture Tools
├── OCAI Online
├── Denison Culture Survey
└── Human Synergistics
AI and Culture Analytics
Emerging Applications:
- Natural language processing of feedback
- Predictive culture metrics
- Network analysis
- Sentiment tracking
- Behavioral pattern recognition
Case Studies
Microsoft’s Culture Transformation
Starting Point (2014):
- Competitive internal culture
- Siloed operations
- Declining innovation
Transformation Approach:
- Growth mindset adoption
- Collaboration emphasis
- Customer obsession
- Inclusive culture
Results:
- Tripled market cap
- Increased innovation
- Higher employee satisfaction
- Cloud leadership
Zappos Holacracy Experiment
Initiative: Radical culture change
Approach: Self-management system
Challenges:
- Resistance to change
- Clarity issues
- Turnover spike
Lessons:
- Culture change limits
- Importance of readiness
- Need for gradual approach
Future Trends
Evolving Assessment Methods
- Real-time Culture Analytics
- Continuous monitoring
- AI-powered insights
- Predictive indicators
- Network-Based Assessment
- Communication patterns
- Collaboration networks
- Influence mapping
- Integrated Platforms
- Culture + Performance
- Holistic view
- Action integration
Implementation Checklist
Pre-Assessment
- Define clear objectives
- Secure leadership commitment
- Select appropriate framework
- Plan communication strategy
- Prepare resources
During Assessment
- Execute data collection plan
- Ensure high participation
- Monitor data quality
- Address concerns quickly
- Maintain confidentiality
Post-Assessment
- Analyze comprehensively
- Share results transparently
- Develop action plans
- Assign accountabilities
- Establish monitoring system
Conclusion
Organizational Culture Assessment is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of understanding and shaping the invisible forces that drive organizational behavior. Success requires a thoughtful approach combining multiple assessment methods, careful analysis, and sustained action. The insights gained provide the foundation for aligning culture with strategy, enabling change, and ultimately driving superior performance. Organizations that master culture assessment and management gain a sustainable competitive advantage in attracting talent, serving customers, and adapting to change.