Measuring Impact - Nicva
Measuring Impact - Nicva
Measuring Impact - Nicva
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56 <strong>Measuring</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> – Case-studies of impact assessment<br />
<strong>Impact</strong> assessment:basic guidance 8.2<br />
Before going into more detail about specific methods, there are some lessons that might<br />
underpin any approach to impact assessment:<br />
8.2.1 Be realistic<br />
It is very easy to get carried away with the idea of impact assessment and think that an exercise<br />
should measure or demonstrate every impact of everything that an organisation does.<br />
However, no single tool exists which is capable of such a feat, and besides which, impact<br />
measurement can be an expensive business. With this in mind, it is important to be selective<br />
and realistic about the kinds of impact that you want to measure. In order to do this, you<br />
need to be clear about the reasons for measuring your impact. Why are you doing it Is it for<br />
a funder If so, what will they want to know Is it for internal motivation or continuous<br />
improvement Also, is it necessary to actually measure or quantify impact, or is it enough to<br />
simply identify or demonstrate it And how will it be reported, and to whom Questions like<br />
this will help an organisation to focus on what is really important for them, and to choose<br />
their approach accordingly.<br />
8.2.2 Make use of existing tools<br />
Despite the decision by some organisations to develop impact measurement methodologies for<br />
themselves, this is not usually necessary. A wide range of tools exists, many in the form of off-theshelf<br />
methodologies or guides. As Chapter 2 noted, some are tailored to a particular aspect of<br />
impact, such as features that are unique to the voluntary sector, or a particular size of organisation.<br />
The wealth of literature and approaches available need not prove daunting. Overviews (such<br />
as the companion to this report 14 already exist, so organisations do not need to start from<br />
square one. Being realistic about what impacts you want to assess, and the reasons for doing<br />
it, will help in the selection and adaptation of an appropriate tool.<br />
8.2.3 Fit for purpose<br />
Whichever tool you select or modify, think about whether it is fit for the purpose for which it<br />
is intended. For example, a series of indicators designed to assess impact from the perspective<br />
of trustees may not be appropriate for assessing impact from a user perspective. One way to<br />
address this question is to think about what dimension of impact you wish to measure (Figure<br />
8.1). Different points on each continuum will lend themselves to different strategies for<br />
assessment: for example, assessment of unintended impact might necessitate the inclusion of a<br />
broader range of stakeholders than the assessment of intended impact.<br />
14 <strong>Measuring</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> – A Guide to Resources (Wainwright, 2002)