How to Prepare Your Organization for Assessment Interviews: Setting the Stage for Success

Start With Clear Communication From the Sponsor

Before a single interview invite goes out, preparation begins with communication. One of the most overlooked steps in an information management assessment is sending a clear, authoritative introductory email — ideally from the project sponsor. This message signals legitimacy, sets expectations, and ensures interviewees understand the importance of the initiative.

“Before an invite appears on someone’s calendar, they should already know why it matters.”

Whether the email goes to everyone on the list or only to managers and directors depends on the organization’s culture. But the goal is the same: reduce surprise, build trust, and open the door to honest conversations.

Should You Send Questions in Advance? It Depends.

Some organizations want the interview questions ahead of time. Others prefer a more conversational approach. At TrailBlazer, we typically avoid sending questions in advance because it encourages one‑sentence answers and reduces the richness of the dialogue.

But when a company expects preparation, we adapt — with one caveat: we emphasize that the interview will still be a conversation, not a questionnaire.

“We’re not looking for written answers — we’re looking for how people actually work.”

For more on this topic, listen to What Counts by TrailBlazer Consulting, Episode 6.