Many of us work in networks formed around a particular goal. Perhaps the objective is to gain support for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, or IMF governance reform. Whatever the objective, your community must have a clear vision and effective work culture in order to get this good work done.

Building an effective network is particularly challenging for groups that transcend organizational boundaries, as there’s often no clear responsibility for setting the tone or direction. Of course, we all know plenty of rather dysfunctional networks that eventually achieve their objectives. But think how much more powerful we would be as a broader progressive movement if these collaborative efforts were more effective. Following are tips on effective evaluation tools, and some questions to ask.

Useful evaluation tools*:

• Ask your members! Yes, this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to evaluate the health of your community. Talk to members at meetings. Appoint individuals who regularly check in with various actors to see how things are going. Building these lines of communication will also strengthen your community.
• Survey. A step up from the ‘conversation’ approach, surveying can be effective, easy and free. Consider tools like Survey Monkey to check in with community members at defined intervals. 
• Diagnostic tools. Groups using online tools like websites and social networking sites should also monitor traffic and use. Determine which information is most popular, and build it out accordingly. 
• Social Network Analysis. A step up from surveying, Social Network Analysis involves modeling network relationships and communications. This more sophisticated approach provides a snapshot of who knows whom, how information is traded, etc., enabling informed and detailed interventions. The Connect US Fund recently performed a Social Network Analysis of its community (results of the analysis in PDF format), which will inform investments in network building in years to come. Check out free tools like Netdraw.

• Vision/Purpose. Priorities and campaigns often change over time. Evaluation can help gauge member support for certain targets, messages or strategies.  These conversations invariably build ties and trust between network members.
• Relationships. Group members must know and trust each other. We probably all know this, but how often do we really carve out social time at meetings? How strong are the relationships? Are there other logical allies who have not been approached?
• Communications. Networks need to know how to talk to each other. Does your group have clear ways to share information, whether through a listserv, website or wiki? Can members contact each other directly?
• Resources. People join a community because they see value in contributing to a whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts. What do members offer and share? What’s most interesting and important? What does the network need? 
• Leadership. Finally, networks need to have someone who sets the course and tone, or at the very least backstops essential responsibilities. Leaders usually surface to achieve various functions in large groups, but they must often be orchestrated into younger/smaller ones. What roles must be played in your community, and is there someone taking the lead?

Finally, it’s critical to share results with the community, placing the onus of building the network on the group as a whole. And make evaluation a priority. The importance of gathering and using feedback is often overlooked, simply because most groups are so busy. But even a small amount of time spent taking the pulse of the group can translate into more effective action.

Join the ongoing conversation around building, harnessing and evaluating the power of networks  at www.advocacy2.org.

* Note: Much of the content we're suggesting relates to the general health of your network. The evaluation tools certainly also support more pointed discussions of strategy and campaign success.