As I've designed networks and coached network builders, the question always comes up: How can we know how the network is doing? In some ways, the answer is complicated. There are different types of networks and networks evolve through different stages--factors that should be taken into account. But it's also true that some things about networks hold for any network at any stage of life.

Working with colleagues at Cause Communications and nuPOLIS, and testing ideas with the marvellous networks of Rural People Rural Policy, an initiative of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, we've developed a handy Network Health Scorecard. With just 22 questions and a 1-5 scoring system, it focuses on key aspects of any network: purpose, performance, operations, and capacity. It's designed for group use--network members answer each question and then discuss their answers--or on your own.

Try it and post comments to let us know how it worked for you so we can improve this tool for network builders.

Madeleine Taylor is the lead entrepreneur for nuPOLIS's Center for Network Impact and a principal in Arbor Consulting.