How can a social impact framework be both rigorous and simple?

1 Define your purpose

The first step is to clarify why you need a social impact framework and what you want to achieve with it. Your purpose will guide your choices of what to measure, how to measure it, and how to use the results. For example, do you want to report on your outcomes, improve your services, or influence policy? Depending on your purpose, you may need different levels of rigour and simplicity in your framework.

2 Choose your approach

The next step is to select an approach that suits your purpose, context, and resources. There are many different methods and models for social impact measurement, such as Theory of Change, Social Return on Investment, or Impact Management Project. Each approach has its own strengths and limitations, and you should choose one that matches your needs and capacities. For example, if you want to compare your impact across different sectors or regions, you may need a more standardized and rigorous approach. If you want to capture the diversity and complexity of your impact, you may need a more flexible and simple approach.

3 Identify your indicators

The third step is to define the indicators that will help you track and assess your impact. Indicators are the specific measures that show whether you are achieving your intended outcomes and impacts. You should choose indicators that are relevant, reliable, and realistic. For example, if you are working on improving health outcomes, you may use indicators such as mortality rates, disease prevalence, or quality of life. You should also avoid using too many or too few indicators, as this can make your framework too complex or too vague.

4 Collect and analyze your data

The fourth step is to collect and analyze the data that will inform your indicators. Data can be quantitative or qualitative, primary or secondary, and collected from various sources and methods. You should collect and analyze data that is accurate, timely, and ethical. For example, you should ensure that your data collection methods are appropriate for your target population, that your data sources are credible and consistent, and that your data analysis methods are transparent and valid. You should also use data that is proportional to your purpose and resources, and avoid collecting or analyzing more data than you need or can use.

5 Report and communicate your impact

The fifth step is to report and communicate your impact to your intended audiences. Reporting and communicating your impact can help you share your learnings, showcase your achievements, and increase your accountability and credibility. You should report and communicate your impact in a way that is clear, concise, and compelling. For example, you should use language and formats that are suitable for your audiences, highlight your key findings and recommendations, and use stories and visuals to illustrate your impact. You should also be honest and balanced, and acknowledge your limitations and challenges.

6 Review and improve your framework

The sixth and final step is to review and improve your framework based on your feedback and experience. Reviewing and improving your framework can help you ensure that it is still relevant, useful, and effective. You should review and improve your framework regularly, and involve your stakeholders and beneficiaries in the process. For example, you should ask yourself and others how well your framework is meeting your purpose, what are the strengths and weaknesses of your framework, and what are the opportunities and challenges for your framework. You should also make adjustments and refinements to your framework as needed, and document and share your changes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?