The Culture Checklist 2025, a valuable instrument designed to assist local authorities in evaluating their organisational culture, was developed collaboratively with Renfrewshire Council. This checklist is integral to their established Cultural Assurance Model, underscoring its proven utility in driving continuous improvement.
A positive organisational culture is fundamental to effective operations, the successful delivery of services, and the capacity for improvement, change, and transformation. It cultivates an environment where individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to perform at their best, providing essential support through both successes and challenges. This checklist offers a structured approach for councils to gather evidence and insights into their culture, addressing the common complexities faced by diverse organisations in this crucial area.
The Culture Checklist comprises 26 statements, organised into four interconnected themes: Leadership; People (employees); Collaboration, Learning and Listening; and Ethics and Governance. Intended for use across the entire organisation, it aims to provide a deeper understanding of the council’s culture. The assessment process involves an electronic survey, where participants rate their agreement with each statement, with a 'Don't Know' option available for those lacking sufficient information.
Beyond quantitative ratings, the checklist prompts participants to provide detailed commentary on organisational strengths and identify areas for improvement within each section. All responses are collected anonymously and are non-attributable, fostering open and honest feedback. The process culminates in facilitated workshop discussions and subsequent planning sessions, where findings are analysed, key issues highlighted, and improvement actions prioritised in alignment with existing strategic plans.
The PSIF Culture Checklist serves as a critical resource for local authorities committed to understanding and enhancing their organisational culture. For additional guidance or support, please contact the PSIF team directly at psif@improvementservice.org.uk