How do you measure the impact of global initiatives?

1 Define your impact goals

The first step is to define what impact means for your global initiative, and what specific goals you want to achieve. Impact goals should be aligned with your vision, mission, and values, as well as the needs and expectations of your stakeholders. They should also be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, if your global initiative is focused on improving access to clean water in developing countries, your impact goals could be to reduce water-related diseases, increase water quality and quantity, and enhance the well-being and livelihoods of the local communities.

2 Choose your impact indicators

The next step is to choose the indicators that will help you measure your progress and performance towards your impact goals. Indicators are quantitative or qualitative measures that reflect the changes or outcomes that your global initiative produces or contributes to. They should be relevant, reliable, valid, and feasible to collect and analyze. For example, some of the indicators for the global initiative on clean water could be the number of people with access to safe drinking water, the reduction of waterborne illnesses, the improvement of water infrastructure, and the satisfaction and empowerment of the beneficiaries.

3 Select your impact methods

The third step is to select the methods that will help you collect and analyze the data for your indicators. Methods are the tools and techniques that you use to gather and interpret the evidence of your impact. They should be appropriate, rigorous, and ethical, and they should balance the trade-offs between cost, time, quality, and credibility. For example, some of the methods for the global initiative on clean water could be surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, case studies, and experiments.

4 Consider your impact context

The fourth step is to consider the context in which your global initiative operates, and how it affects or is affected by your impact. Context refers to the external factors and conditions that influence the design, implementation, and evaluation of your global initiative, such as the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, and institutional aspects. It also includes the assumptions, risks, and opportunities that shape your impact logic and theory of change. For example, some of the contextual factors for the global initiative on clean water could be the governance and regulation of water resources, the availability and affordability of water technologies, the cultural and behavioral norms and practices of water use, and the potential conflicts and synergies with other water-related initiatives.

5 Communicate your impact results

The final step is to communicate your impact results to your stakeholders and audiences, and to use them for learning and improvement. Communication involves the dissemination and presentation of your impact findings and recommendations, using various formats and channels, such as reports, dashboards, stories, or infographics. It should be clear, concise, and compelling, and it should highlight the value and relevance of your impact, as well as the challenges and limitations. It should also invite feedback and dialogue, and foster a culture of learning and accountability. For example, some of the communication strategies for the global initiative on clean water could be to share the stories and testimonials of the beneficiaries, to showcase the achievements and lessons learned, and to solicit suggestions and ideas for future actions.

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?