The Engagement Workbook
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Confidential Engagement Document

Engagement Workbook
Operations Assessment & Framework

A comprehensive diagnostic and planning tool designed to assess, prioritize, and build operational infrastructure that sustains mission. Complete collaboratively with your WNC consultant.

Organization Name
Executive Director
Annual Budget
Assessment Date
Engagement Tier
Section 1

How This Workbook Works

This workbook is your organization's operational roadmap for working with Wendling Nonprofit Consulting. It is designed to be completed collaboratively. Some sections by the Executive Director, some with staff, and some presented to the Board. Each section is clearly labeled by audience.

Brad's Promise to Your Organization

Everything in this workbook is a starting point, not a verdict. The assessment reveals where your organization is today, not where it will stay. Every gap identified is an opportunity.

This document is confidential. It will not be shared outside of our engagement without your explicit permission.

Customization is expected. Every organization is different. We will adapt every tool to fit your context, culture, and capacity.

BoardED / COOStaff

Badges throughout this workbook indicate the intended audience for each section. Use them to route the right content to the right people in your organization.

Section 2 | Step 1

Organizational Discovery Call

30 minutes · Before any commitment · No pitch, no pressure
ED / COOBoard

The Discovery Call is a low pressure conversation to understand your organization's needs, current challenges, and whether this engagement is the right fit. Come prepared with honest answers. This is where we set the foundation.

Pre Call Preparation

Gather or be ready to discuss the following before the call.

Discovery Questions

These are the questions Brad will ask. Prepare honest, candid answers.

What keeps you up at night about your organization's operations?
Where do you feel your programs are strongest operationally?
Where do you feel your programs are most vulnerable?
Describe your current team structure and capacity.
What does success look like for this engagement in 90 days?
What has been tried before that didn't work?
Discovery Call Outcomes
OutcomeNext Step
Strong fit. Clear needs, aligned expectationsProceed to Step 2: Full Operational Assessment
Potential fit. Some questions remainSchedule a follow up call to clarify scope and tier
Not the right fit at this timeBrad will refer you to a better suited resource
Section 3 | Step 2

Full Operational Assessment

Weeks 1 to 2 · After engagement begins · ED / COO / Staff
ED / COOStaff

The Operational Assessment is a structured review of your organization's current state across five core areas. Brad will conduct this through interviews, document review, and observation. Results are compiled into a written Operations Snapshot Report.

3A. Operational Health Scorecard

Rate each area 1 (critical gaps) to 5 (strong/sustainable). Completed collaboratively during assessment interviews.

Area12345Notes
Overall Assessment Summary. Key Observations
3B. Program Inventory

Document each active program. Add rows as needed.

Program NameSitesAnnual ParticipantsFunding SourceCompliance Req.Risk Level
3C. Staff Capacity Matrix

Mark: P = Primary, S = Secondary, G = Gap (no coverage), T = Training needed.

FunctionStaff 1Staff 2Staff 3Staff 4Gap?
3D. Regulatory & Compliance Review

Map compliance obligations across all funding sources. Complete one column per active program or funding stream.

Step 1. Identify Programs & Regulatory Bodies
Program NameTypeRegulatory / Funding BodyLevelRenewal Date
DirectPass ThroughGrant
LocalStateFederal
DirectPass ThroughGrant
LocalStateFederal
DirectPass ThroughGrant
LocalStateFederal
DirectPass ThroughGrant
LocalStateFederal
DirectPass ThroughGrant
LocalStateFederal
Step 2. Universal Compliance Checklist

These items apply to all organizations regardless of program type or funding source.

Step 3. Program Level Compliance

Write the funder/regulator name in each column header, then mark each requirement.

Compliance Requirement
Program application / agreement on file
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Eligibility criteria documented
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Enrollment / intake forms current
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Reporting schedule documented
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Reports submitted on time
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Required data collected and retained
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Site / program monitoring conducted
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Monitoring records documented
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Staff training requirements met
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Training records on file
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Corrective action plans filed (if applicable)
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Civil rights / non discrimination requirements posted
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Complaint procedure documented and posted
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Audit trail / documentation maintained
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Partner / subcontractor compliance verified
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Program specific certifications current
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Renewal / reapplication timeline tracked
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Funder relationship contact current
In PlaceGapN/A
In PlaceGapN/A
Compliance Gaps Identified. Priority Actions
3E. Budget & Financial Controls Review
EDBoard Treasurer
Annual Budget Total
Primary Revenue Sources
% Government Funding
Months of Operating Reserves
Last Audit Date
Audit Findings (Y/N)
3F. Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Operations
EDOperations Lead

A tested plan is a living document, not a PDF in a drawer.

PLAN DOCUMENTATION
PARTNER & COMMUNITY NETWORK
STAFF & VOLUNTEER READINESS
COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTING
Disaster Preparedness Priority Gaps
Section 4 | Step 3

Engagement Launch & Priorities

Week 2 to 3 · Board presentation recommended · ED / Leadership Team
ED / COOBoard

Based on the assessment findings, this section establishes priorities, ownership, and the 90 day roadmap. Share this with your board and leadership team to align everyone on what is being built and why.

4A. Top 10 Operational Priorities

Ranked by urgency and impact on mission sustainability. Completed after assessment.

#Action ItemImpactEffortOwnerTarget Date
4B. 90 Day Operational Roadmap
Week
Focus Area
Key Deliverable
Owner
Status
4C. KPI Scorecard Framework

Tracked monthly, reported to the board quarterly. Targets set collaboratively during engagement launch.

KPICategoryBaselineTarget (90 days)Target (1 year)Tracking Method
Section 5 | Step 4

Ongoing Partnership & Reporting

Monthly cadence · Quarterly board report
BoardED / COO
Engagement Cadence
TouchpointFrequencyParticipantsFormatPurpose
Weekly Check inWeeklyBrad + ED30 min video/phoneProgress, blockers, priorities
Leadership PresencePer tierBrad + Dept. LeadsIn person / videoSystems, SOPs, staff support
Monthly Dashboard ReviewMonthlyBrad + EDWritten + callKPI review, adjustments
Board ReportQuarterlyBrad + ED + BoardWritten + presentation90 day impact summary
Annual AssessmentAnnuallyBrad + Full LeadershipFull workbook reviewMeasure growth, reset priorities
Monthly Board Report Template
Board
Operational Highlights
What went well this month operationally?
KPI Dashboard Summary
Key metrics vs. targets. What improved, what needs attention?
Priority Progress Update
Status update on top 3 active priorities
Compliance Status
Any audit findings, corrective actions, or compliance updates?
Risk Flags
Any emerging risks to programs, staff, or funding?
Next Month Focus
Top 3 operational priorities for next month
Appendices

Tier Specific Tools

Essentials Tier. $3,000/month or $4,500 one time. Approx 10 hours per month

Best for organizations with stable operations that need strategic guidance, compliance oversight, and an experienced partner to think alongside your ED. Ideal budget range: $1M to $3M annual revenue.

What's Included
Monthly Session Agenda
Review KPI Dashboard (15 min)
What moved? What stalled? What needs attention?
Compliance & Risk Check (15 min)
Any audit risks, documentation gaps, or regulatory issues?
Program Growth Discussion (20 min)
Site expansion, partner network, scaling opportunities
SOP & Systems Review (15 min)
What processes need to be documented, automated, or improved? Includes Claude governance and guardrail review.
Priority Setting for Next Month (15 min)
Top 3 actions, owners, and deadlines
Open Questions / ED Issues (15 min)
Anything on your mind. No agenda required.
Session Notes
Date
Attendees
KPI Highlights
Compliance Items
Program Notes
Action Items for Next Month
Embedded COO Tier. $5,500/month or $7,000 one time. Approx 20 hours per month

For organizations in growth mode, navigating a leadership transition, or operating programs with complex compliance requirements. Brad is active inside your leadership team, owning operational outcomes, not just advising. Ideal budget range: $2M to $10M.

What's Included (All Essentials Plus)
SOP Development Tracker
SOP TitleDepartmentAuthorStatusReview DateApproved By
Salesforce CRM Setup Checklist
Organizational Rescue. $8,500/month or $10,000 one time. Approx 40 hours per month

For organizations facing an active crisis: a failed federal audit, an unexpected executive departure, a disaster response situation, a program launch under deadline, or an organization at risk of closure.

Brad has navigated all of these, with zero federal disqualifications across every engagement. Every engagement is month to month with no long term contract, or a fixed scope one time option. The first step is a conversation.

Crisis Triage Assessment
What is the primary crisis or urgent situation?
When did this situation begin or escalate?
Who knows about this situation currently?
What is the immediate deadline or consequence if unresolved?
What resources (staff, budget, time) are available?
What has already been tried?
What does resolution look like in 30 days?
Crisis Response Checklist. First 72 Hours
What's Included

Ready to take the next step?

Book a free 30 minute discovery call. No pitch, no pressure.

Book Your Discovery Call
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Brad Wendling
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