SMSS

Sustainment Measurement System Scale

The Sustainment Measurement System Scale (SMSS) is a validated instrument for assessing how well a program or initiative is positioned to continue into the future or once funding ends.

Rate each statement about your funded project on a scale from 1 = little or no extent to 5 = a great extent. Select N/A if the statement is not relevant to your program or if you are unsure of the answer. If the project no longer exists, answer based on the period when it was funded. Your responses stay in your browser — they are not stored or transmitted — and you can save a copy of the report as a PDF.

Step 1

Project Setup (optional)

Optional · 0 of 4 filled

Agency Project / EBP / CDEP name Funder Assessment date

SMSS Summary

Project Summary Scores

Agency: — Project: — Funder: — Date: —

Items answered

0/35

Overall mean score

—

Excluding N/A

Domains on track

0/8

Mean ≥ 4.00

Domains needing attention

0/8

Mean 1.00–3.99

Scoring rubric

4.00 or higher — On track for sustainment 3.00 to 3.99 — Area of potential concern 1.00 to 2.99 — Major concern that should be addressed N/R — Not relevant to my program (all items N/A)

Domain scores

Summary table

SMSS Domain	Items	Answered	Mean score	Status

Ready to take the next step?

Explore the CMHIS Sustainment Planning Guide (coming soon) for guidance on interpreting your SMSS results and developing a sustainment action plan. For additional support, visit our Request Support page to connect with CMHIS coaches who can help you with your sustainment planning.

About the SMSS

The Sustainment Measurement System Scale (SMSS) is a validated instrument for assessing how well a program or initiative is positioned to continue into the future or once funding ends. It captures the conditions that research has linked to long-term sustainment — from stable financing and community partnerships to leadership, infrastructure, and evidence of positive outcomes.

This tool presents all 35 SMSS items across eight domains. Rate each statement about your project from 1 (little or no extent) to 5 (a great extent), or mark it N/A when it does not apply. After completion, the report summarizes domain-level results for review. Your responses stay in your browser — they are not stored or transmitted — and you can save a copy of the report as a PDF.

Assessment structure

35

Items grouped into eight sustainment domains, from sustainment indicators through evaluation, feedback, and evidence of positive outcomes.

Flexible completion

5+N/A

Single-page form with 5-point Likert responses and an N/A option for items that are not relevant to the project being assessed.

Report output

PDF

After completion, the tool prepares a downloadable report with project details, domain summaries, and item-level response detail for review.