Root Change

BWS Coalition Builder

Build-Win-Sustain framework | Root Change
STEP 1
Introduction
Purpose and instructions
›
STEP 2
Assessment Matrix
Rate all 12 cells
›
STEP 3
Results
Patterns, gaps, priorities
›
STEP 4
Activity Selection
Matched to your assessment
›
STEP 5
Next Steps (Optional)
Actions, owners, dates

🏘 BWS Coalition Builder

Purpose: This tool is designed for coalition strengthening. Steps 1 through 4 form the core assessment and activity selection process. Step 5 (Next Steps) is optional and can be used to translate your activity selections into a concrete action plan. It helps coalition partners assess where they stand and where they want to go across the three interlocking strands of the Build-Win-Sustain (BWS) framework and the four Change Levers. Use it to surface shared perspectives, identify gaps, and plan targeted capacity development activities.
👥 Two Ways to Use This Tool
📄 Individual Preparation
Each coalition partner completes the assessment independently before a group meeting. Individual assessments are then pooled, compared, and discussed together to surface differences in perception and build shared priorities.
👥 Collective Review
Coalition partners gather together to review and score each cell as a group, discussing what the ratings mean and why they matter. This builds shared ownership of the assessment and the resulting action plan.
📋 Understanding the Framework
BUILD
Cultivating the relationships, legitimacy, and organizational capacity that make collective action possible.
WIN
Translating coalition strength into concrete policy, cultural, or structural victories that advance the coalition mission.
SUSTAIN
Protecting gains, deepening roots, and ensuring the conditions for durable change are maintained over time.
Build, Win, and Sustain are not sequential stages. They are three tightly intertwined strands of a braided strategy that operate simultaneously. A strong coalition works across all three at once.
📈 How to Read Your Scores
The Two Dimensions
Current (H/M/L): An honest assessment of where your coalition stands today. High means strong and effective; Low means underdeveloped or absent.

Aspire (H/M/L): Where you realistically aim to be in six months. This is a grounded target, not a wish. It also signals which areas your coalition considers most important to strengthen.
Understanding the Gap
The gap is the difference between Current and Aspire. It shows where your coalition most needs to invest.

A difference of two levels (e.g., Current = Low, Aspire = High) is a High gap.
A difference of one level (e.g., Current = Med, Aspire = High) is a Medium gap.
No difference is No gap — you are already where you want to be.

Cells with a large gap are highlighted in the matrix and displayed prominently in the Results view.

☰ Assessment Matrix

Rate each cell on two dimensions. Click a pill to select; click again to deselect. Add notes as desired.

⚠ Red-outlined cells are where the gap between Current and Aspire is High (two levels apart) — your most important areas for coalition investment.
Current:
High
Med
Low
Aspire (6 mo):
High
Med
Low
Re-norm
Shift beliefs, narratives, norms
 Reform
Change rules, policies, structures
 Depolarize
Reduce division, build bridges
 Mobilize
Activate people and resources

📋 Activity Selection

Activities are automatically matched to your Step 3 results. Those marked Matched correspond to the BWS strands and Change Levers where you identified a gap. Other activities are shown below and may also be relevant.

🌟 Activity matching is based on your Step 3 results
Filter by BWS Strand
Build
Win
Sustain
Filter by Change Lever
Re-norm
Reform
Depolarize
Mobilize
Selected: 0

📊 Results: Patterns and Gaps

Three views of your assessment. Red-outlined cells and rows represent the largest gaps — your highest investment priorities.

◾ Overview: All 12 Cells

Each cell shows Current and Aspire ratings and a gap badge. Red-outlined cells have a High gap (two levels apart) and are your top investment areas.

▲ Rank Ordered Gaps: Current Versus Aspirational Performance

All rated cells sorted by gap size, largest first. A High gap means two levels apart (e.g., Current = Low, Aspire = High). These are your highest investment priorities.
BWSChange LeverCurrentAspireGap

✅ Next Steps

Optional Use this table to translate your activity selections into concrete commitments. Add as many rows as needed.

Action Person(s) Responsible Start Date Completion Date Required Resources Notes

How to Use the BWS Coalition Builder

Root Change — Build-Win-Sustain Framework

1 Read the Introduction

Step 1 explains the two modes of use (individual preparation vs. collective review), the BWS framework, and how to interpret scores and gaps. Read it before scoring.

2 Complete the Matrix

The 3x4 grid crosses Build, Win, Sustain (rows) with Re-norm, Reform, Depolarize, Mobilize (columns). For each of the 12 cells, set two ratings: Current (honest self-assessment of where your coalition stands today) and Aspire (where you aim to be in six months). Click a pill again to deselect. Add notes as desired. Cells outlined in red have a High gap between Current and Aspire — these are your coalition's most critical investment areas.

3 Review Results

Step 3 shows the results of your Step 2 assessment: a full overview of all 12 cells and a rank-ordered gap table (Current versus Aspirational Performance). Reviewing these patterns first helps you make more informed choices about which activities to prioritize in Step 4.

4 Activity Selection

Activities in Step 4 are automatically matched to your Step 3 results. Activities marked Matched correspond to the BWS strands and Change Levers where you have identified a gap. Use "Hide non-matched activities" to focus on what is most relevant, and "Show selected only" to review your selections. The Print Results + Activity Selection + Next Steps to PDF button in the bottom bar appears once you have selected at least one activity.

5 Next Steps

Step 5 is optional. It provides a planning table where you can record concrete commitments: the specific action, who is responsible, start and completion dates, required resources, and any notes. Add rows as needed. The print button at the bottom of Step 4 or Step 5 exports Results, Activity Selection, and Next Steps together as a single PDF.