# Diagnostic Assessment > Builds diagnostic assessment tools for consulting engagements with scoring, benchmarking, and recommendation logic. - Skill: `reaperinvest/diagnostic-assessment` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add reaperinvest/diagnostic-assessment` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/reaperinvest/diagnostic-assessment/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: reaperinvest (https://skillmd.com/u/reaperinvest) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/reaperinvest/diagnostic-assessment --- # Diagnostic Assessment ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to: - Build a scored assessment tool to evaluate a client's current state - Create benchmarking criteria that compare performance against standards - Design recommendation logic that maps assessment scores to specific actions - Develop a lead-generation diagnostic that demonstrates expertise **DO NOT** use this skill for employee performance reviews, medical assessments, or customer satisfaction surveys. This is for consulting and coaching diagnostic tools. --- ## Core Principle A DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT DOES TWO THINGS — IT SHOWS THE CLIENT WHERE THEY STAND AND MAKES THE PATH FORWARD OBVIOUS. THE SCORE REVEALS THE GAP. THE RECOMMENDATIONS CLOSE IT. --- ## Phase 1: Assessment Design ### Required Inputs | Input | What to Ask | Default | |-------|------------|---------| | **Assessment topic** | "What area does this assessment evaluate?" | No default — must be provided | | **Target audience** | "Who takes this assessment — business owners, teams, individuals?" | Business owners | | **Number of categories** | "How many areas should the assessment cover?" | 5-7 categories | | **Purpose** | "Is this for client engagements, lead generation, or both?" | Client engagements | | **Scoring model** | "Simple (1-5 scale) or weighted scoring?" | Simple 1-5 scale | **GATE: Confirm topic and categories before building questions.** --- ## Phase 2: Assessment Structure ### Category Design Define 5-7 assessment categories: ``` ## [Assessment Name] — Categories 1. [Category 1] — [What it evaluates] 2. [Category 2] — [What it evaluates] 3. [Category 3] — [What it evaluates] 4. [Category 4] — [What it evaluates] 5. [Category 5] — [What it evaluates] ``` ### Question Format Write 3-5 questions per category: ``` ## Category: [Category Name] **Q1:** [Statement to rate] Rate 1-5: (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree) **Q2:** [Statement to rate] Rate 1-5 **Q3:** [Statement to rate] Rate 1-5 **Category Score:** Sum of answers / Number of questions = [X/5] ``` ### Question Writing Rules - Write statements, not questions — "We have a documented process for X" vs. "Do you have a process?" - Make each level distinguishable — a score of 2 should look clearly different from a score of 4 - Avoid double-barreled statements — one concept per question - Include both positive and negative indicators to prevent all-high scoring - Test with 3-5 people to ensure questions are understood consistently --- ## Phase 3: Scoring & Benchmarks ### Scoring Matrix ``` ## Scoring Guide ### Category Scores | Score | Level | Meaning | |-------|-------|---------| | 1.0-2.0 | Critical | Significant gaps requiring immediate attention | | 2.1-3.0 | Developing | Foundation exists but major improvements needed | | 3.1-4.0 | Competent | Solid performance with room for optimization | | 4.1-5.0 | Advanced | Strong performance — focus on fine-tuning | ### Overall Score | Range | Grade | Summary | |-------|-------|---------| | 5-12 | Needs Foundation | Multiple critical areas — prioritize fundamentals | | 13-20 | Building | Some strengths, significant gaps remain | | 21-28 | Growing | Good foundation — strategic improvements will accelerate results | | 29-35 | Optimizing | Strong across the board — fine-tune for excellence | ``` ### Results Presentation ``` ## Assessment Results — [Client Name] **Date:** [Date] **Overall Score:** [X/35] — [Grade Level] ### Category Breakdown | Category | Score | Level | Priority | |----------|-------|-------|----------| | [Category 1] | X/5 | [Level] | [High/Med/Low] | | [Category 2] | X/5 | [Level] | [High/Med/Low] | | [Category 3] | X/5 | [Level] | [High/Med/Low] | ### Strengths (Scores 4+) - [Category] — [What they are doing well] ### Priority Gaps (Scores under 3) - [Category] — [What needs immediate attention] ### Recommended Actions 1. **[Action]** — Addresses [category]. Expected impact: [outcome]. 2. **[Action]** — Addresses [category]. Expected impact: [outcome]. 3. **[Action]** — Addresses [category]. Expected impact: [outcome]. ``` --- ## Phase 4: Implementation ### As a Lead Generation Tool - Offer the assessment as a free resource on your website - Automate scoring and deliver results instantly via email - Include a CTA: "Want help improving your score? Book a consultation." - Segment leads by score level for targeted follow-up ### As a Client Engagement Tool - Use the assessment during the first session of every engagement - Repeat the assessment at the end to show measurable improvement - Benchmark against industry averages if data is available - Include assessment results in your proposal to justify the engagement ### Assessment Delivery Options | Format | Best For | Effort | |--------|----------|--------| | PDF worksheet | In-person or call-based assessments | Low | | Google Form + auto-score spreadsheet | Self-serve or lead gen | Medium | | Interactive web tool (Typeform, ScoreApp) | Lead generation at scale | High | | Facilitated workshop | Group assessments or team diagnostics | High | --- ## Anti-Patterns - **Too many questions** — more than 25 questions causes abandonment. Keep it tight and focused. - **No actionable recommendations** — a score without next steps is just a report card. Map every score range to specific actions. - **Subjective scoring without anchors** — "Rate your marketing 1-5" means different things to different people. Use behavioral descriptors. - **One-size-fits-all recommendations** — "improve your marketing" regardless of the score level. Tailor recommendations to the gap size. - **No follow-up** — sending results without offering to discuss them wastes the diagnostic's value. --- ## Recovery - **Assessment results are all high scores:** Either the client is genuinely advanced (shift to optimization) or the questions are too easy. Add more discriminating questions. - **Client disagrees with their score:** Walk through the specific questions and their answers. Ask what evidence would change the score. - **Assessment is too long:** Cut to 3 questions per category. Focus on the questions that most differentiate strong from weak performers. - **No industry benchmarks available:** Use your own client data to build benchmarks over time. Start with qualitative levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced). - **Client overwhelmed by results:** Prioritize the top 2-3 improvements. Present them as phases, not a simultaneous to-do list.