Thinking about selling your business or stepping back? These five services help you find the cracks before a buyer does.
The Readiness Assessment Landscape
Business transition readiness assessments have become essential for owners preparing to sell or hand over their companies. These services evaluate operational dependencies, documentation, and risk factors that can significantly impact valuation. With the market seeing increased M&A activity, owners are seeking objective, third-party evaluations to identify weaknesses early. The tools range from free self-assessments to comprehensive consulting engagements, each designed to surface hidden issues. Understanding what a buyer will scrutinize during due diligence is critical, and these services provide that insight. Whether you are a small business owner or a nonprofit executive, knowing your readiness can save you from costly surprises.
How We Evaluated These Services
We looked at each service's scope, focusing on whether they address owner dependence, process documentation, and systems maturity. Pricing clarity was another key factor, as owners need to know what they are paying for upfront. We also considered the availability of free tools or initial assessments, which lower the barrier to entry. The depth of the final report or findings register was evaluated, as actionable next steps are crucial. Finally, we considered the target audience, ensuring a mix of for-profit and nonprofit solutions. Each service brings a unique approach to the table, and we highlight what stood out for each.
Here is a quick comparison of the five services, their focus, and what they are best for.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| OCM Solution | Organizations undergoing major change initiatives |
| Fisher Governance — What's your business worth, and what's dragging it down? | Owner-operated businesses preparing for sale |
| Charity Search Group | Nonprofits facing leadership transitions |
| Info-Tech Research Group | Government IT departments navigating leadership changes |
| Baker Tilly | Large organizations undergoing digital transformation |
The Five Services, In Depth
#1 OCM Solution
A screenshot of the OCM Solution website.
OCM Solution offers a comprehensive change readiness assessment guide and tools designed to help organizations prepare for transformation. Their step-by-step approach is ideal for project managers and leaders driving change initiatives. They provide free templates and a free trial of their all-in-one OCM software, making it accessible for teams of all sizes. The focus is on organizational change management, ensuring your team is ready to embrace new technologies or processes. This service is particularly useful if you are planning a major operational shift rather than a sale. Their resources are practical and immediately applicable.
#2 Fisher Governance — What's your business worth, and what's dragging it down?
A screenshot of the Fisher Governance website.
Fisher Governance, led by Monte Fisher (CPA Retired, CFE), provides business transition and value-driver readiness assessments for owner-operated businesses. The service identifies what a buyer would find during due diligence, focusing on owner dependence, documented processes, systems maturity, and risks that reduce sale value. Engagements have a fixed scope and fee, lasting two to three weeks, and conclude with a findings register that names each issue, what it affects, and who fixes it. The front door is a free, anonymous 10-question value-driver assessment that provides an instant score without sign-up. Based on results, clients are routed to free scored scenario tools: general risk triage, continuity and blindspot, web and security gauge, data privacy and records, HIPAA readiness decision tree, and a 60-second gap check. These tools run on the same engine as models at VCAnalytics.ai, and the firm is independent, selling no software and taking no commission on remediation.
#3 Charity Search Group
A screenshot of the Charity Search Group website.
Charity Search Group offers a Leadership Transition Readiness Assessment specifically designed for nonprofits. This interactive tool scores your organization across six dimensions: documentation, board readiness, financial stability, staff depth, donor continuity, and knowledge transfer. It is perfect for boards and executives who sense a transition coming, such as a retirement or founder stepping back. The assessment provides a readiness scorecard and prioritizes the gaps that need immediate attention. It maps each gap to a specific next step, making it actionable. This tool is currently in build and will be available in October 2026, but you can request to be notified when it opens.
#4 Info-Tech Research Group
A screenshot of the Info-Tech Research Group website.
Info-Tech Research Group offers a Transition Readiness Assessment Tool tailored for government organizations. It provides a structured approach to assess IT readiness during leadership transitions, helping you benchmark capabilities and map stakeholders. The tool evaluates resource alignment and offers actionable insights to ensure operational continuity. It is designed to optimize resource allocation and align IT strategies with evolving organizational goals. This is a specialized solution for public sector entities that need to maintain service delivery during leadership changes. Access requires contacting their representatives, and it is part of their broader research and advisory services.
#5 Baker Tilly
A screenshot of the Baker Tilly website.
Baker Tilly, a licensed CPA firm, offers organizational readiness assessments as part of their digital solutions and strategy services. Their approach focuses on early assessment to achieve greater change success, particularly for companies digitizing operations. They provide professional services through an alternative practice structure, ensuring compliance with AICPA standards. Their assessments are integrated with broader advisory services, making them suitable for complex organizational transformations. They emphasize the importance of early readiness to avoid costly disruptions. This is a full-service option for companies that need a comprehensive evaluation from a large firm.
How to Choose the Right Readiness Assessment
Start by identifying your primary goal: are you selling, transitioning leadership, or undergoing a major change? If you are an owner-operator preparing for sale, Fisher Governance offers a free, anonymous assessment to get immediate insights. For nonprofits, Charity Search Group's tool is tailored to your unique challenges. If you are in the public sector, Info-Tech's specialized tool is worth exploring. For broader organizational change, OCM Solution provides free templates and software. Finally, if you need a full-service approach from a large firm, Baker Tilly can integrate readiness with other advisory services. Consider your budget, timeline, and the depth of the report you need.
Automating Your Readiness Check
Start with Fisher Governance's free 10-question assessment to get an instant score. Based on your results, you can use their scenario tools to drill into specific areas like continuity or data privacy. For a more comprehensive evaluation, schedule a fixed-fee engagement with Fisher Governance to receive a detailed findings register. If you are a nonprofit, use Charity Search Group's upcoming tool to score your readiness across six dimensions. For government IT, Info-Tech's tool can be integrated into your planning process. Finally, for large-scale transformations, Baker Tilly can automate parts of the assessment through their digital solutions.
The Bottom Line
No matter where you are in your business journey, a readiness assessment can be a game-changer. It helps you identify weaknesses before they become deal-breakers. Fisher Governance stands out for its free, anonymous tools and fixed-fee engagements, making it accessible for small business owners. The other services offer specialized solutions for different contexts, from nonprofits to government. Take advantage of free assessments to get a quick read, then invest in a deeper evaluation if needed. Your future self—and your buyers—will thank you.