Systems Thinking Assessment Tool
Evaluating Your Decision-Making Culture
Instructions: Rate each statement on a scale of 1-5 based on how accurately it describes your current operation:
5 = Always true - This describes our operation consistently
4 = Usually true - This describes us most of the time
3 = Sometimes true - This describes us about half the time
2 = Rarely true - This describes us occasionally
1 = Never true - This does not describe our operation
SECTION A: Decision Bottlenecks Assessment
A1. Team members make routine operational decisions independently without seeking approval ___
A2. Problems get resolved quickly at the appropriate level without unnecessary escalation ___
A3. Operations continue effectively when key managers are absent or in meetings ___
A4. Decision-making speed matches the pace required by operational demands ___
Section A Total: ___/20
SECTION B: Authority Clarity Assessment
B1. Team members clearly understand which decisions they can make independently ___
B2. Escalation boundaries are explicit and consistently applied across all areas ___
B3. There is minimal confusion about "who decides what" in cross-functional situations ___
B4. New team members quickly learn their decision-making authority and boundaries ___
Section B Total: ___/20
SECTION C: Information Flow Assessment
C1. Decision-makers have access to the information they need when they need it ___
C2. Critical information transfers effectively between shifts and departments ___
C3. Visual management systems support real-time decision-making on the floor ___
C4. Technology enhances rather than complicates the decision-making process ___
Section C Total: ___/20
SECTION D: Feedback Loops Assessment
D1. We systematically capture lessons from significant decisions (both successful and unsuccessful) ___
D2. Decision-making processes improve over time based on experience and feedback ___
D3. Teams regularly discuss decision effectiveness and system improvements ___
D4. Pattern recognition leads to optimized approaches for recurring decision types ___
Section D Total: ___/20
SECTION E: Cultural Barriers Assessment
E1. Team members feel safe making decisions within their authority without fear of criticism ___
E2. Mistakes are treated as learning opportunities rather than reasons for blame ___
E3. Good decision-making processes are recognized regardless of outcomes ___
E4. People proactively suggest improvements to decision-making systems and processes ___
Section E Total: ___/20
SCORING SUMMARY
A - Decision Bottlenecks ___/20
B - Authority Clarity ___/20
C - Information Flow ___/20
D - Feedback Loops ___/20
E - Cultural Barriers ___/20
TOTAL SCORE ___/100 100
INTERPRETATION & RECOMMENDATIONS
Overall Decision-Making Maturity Level
80-100 points: Level 3 - Cultural Integration
Exceptional decision-making culture with embedded systems
Teams self-correct and continuously improve processes
Focus: Maintain excellence and share best practices with other operations
60-79 points: Level 2 - Guided Autonomy
Solid decision-making systems with room for refinement
Clear frameworks enable most distributed decisions
Focus: Strengthen weaker areas and build toward cultural integration
40-59 points: Level 1+ - Emerging Systems
Basic decision-making improvements with significant opportunities
Some distributed decision-making within established boundaries
Focus: Systematic development of authority frameworks and information systems
Below 40 points: Level 1 - Centralized Control
Most decisions flow through management with limited distribution
Significant bottlenecks and unclear authority boundaries
Focus: Foundation building through authority clarification and basic empowerment
Section-Specific Improvement Priorities
If Section A (Decision Bottlenecks) scored lowest:
Priority Actions:
Conduct decision audit tracking all approval requests for one week
Identify top 3 decision types creating bottlenecks
Create explicit authority guidelines for these decision types
Train team members on independent decision-making within boundaries
If Section B (Authority Clarity) scored lowest:
Priority Actions:
Document decision rights and boundaries for each role
Create decision authority matrix showing who decides what
Conduct team training sessions on decision boundaries
Establish clear escalation criteria and communication protocols
If Section C (Information Flow) scored lowest:
Priority Actions:
Map information needs for common decision types
Implement visual management systems at key decision points
Improve shift handover processes for decision continuity
Evaluate technology tools supporting real-time decision-making
If Section D (Feedback Loops) scored lowest:
Priority Actions:
Establish simple documentation process for significant decisions
Schedule monthly decision effectiveness review sessions
Create system for sharing decision-making best practices across shifts
Implement tracking for decision speed and quality metrics
If Section E (Cultural Barriers) scored lowest:
Priority Actions:
Model vulnerability by sharing your own decision mistakes and learning
Establish "learning from mistakes" protocols that focus on improvement
Recognize good decision processes regardless of outcomes
Create safe experimentation opportunities for testing new approaches
Implementation Roadmap Based on Your Score
Immediate Actions (Next 30 Days)
Focus on your lowest-scoring section using the priority actions above. Start with simple, specific changes that build confidence and demonstrate commitment to improvement.
Short-term Development (30-90 Days)
Address your second-lowest section while maintaining momentum in your initial focus area. Begin systematic capability building through training and process development.
Long-term Integration (90+ Days)
Work on remaining areas while building toward overall cultural maturity. Focus on sustainability and continuous improvement processes that maintain progress over time.