How can you measure the impact of your strategic plan on your community?

1 Define your impact indicators

The first step in measuring your impact is to define what you want to measure and how. Impact indicators are measurable and specific outcomes that reflect your strategic objectives and mission. They should be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, if your strategic plan aims to improve the quality of life of your community members, you might use indicators such as income level, health status, education level, or satisfaction level. You should also decide how you will collect and analyze the data for each indicator, such as surveys, interviews, observations, or records.

2 Establish your baseline and targets

The next step is to establish your baseline and targets for each impact indicator. The baseline is the current situation or the starting point before you implement your strategic plan. The target is the desired outcome or the end point after you implement your plan. For example, if your baseline income level is $30,000 per year and your target income level is $40,000 per year, then your impact is the difference between the two: $10,000 per year. You should also set a timeframe for achieving your targets, such as one year, three years, or five years.

3 Monitor your progress and performance

The third step is to monitor your progress and performance regularly and systematically. Monitoring is the process of collecting and reviewing data and feedback on your impact indicators over time. It helps you track how well you are implementing your strategic plan and achieving your targets. You should use a variety of methods and sources to collect and review your data, such as dashboards, reports, charts, or graphs. You should also compare your actual results with your expected results and identify any gaps or challenges.

4 Evaluate your impact and outcomes

The fourth step is to evaluate your impact and outcomes periodically and comprehensively. Evaluation is the process of analyzing and interpreting your data and feedback to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of your strategic plan. It helps you measure the extent and quality of your impact on your community and the value and sustainability of your outcomes. You should use a range of criteria and methods to evaluate your impact, such as relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability. You should also involve your stakeholders, such as your community members, partners, funders, or staff, in the evaluation process.

5 Communicate and report your impact

The final step is to communicate and report your impact clearly and convincingly. Communication and reporting are the processes of sharing and presenting your data and feedback to your stakeholders and the public. They help you demonstrate your accountability and transparency and showcase your achievements and learnings. You should use different formats and channels to communicate and report your impact, such as stories, testimonials, case studies, infographics, videos, or podcasts. You should also tailor your messages and language to your audiences and their needs and interests.

6 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?