How can you map out inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts?

1 What are inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts?

Inputs are the resources that you use to carry out your activities, such as time, money, staff, equipment, or materials. Outputs are the direct products or services that result from your activities, such as reports, events, workshops, or publications. Outcomes are the changes or benefits that occur for your target audience or stakeholders as a result of your outputs, such as increased knowledge, skills, attitudes, or behaviors. Impacts are the long-term effects or consequences of your outcomes, such as improved social, economic, or environmental conditions.

2 Why are inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts important?

Mapping out your inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts can help you to plan, monitor, evaluate, and communicate your work. By clarifying the logic and assumptions behind your activities, you can identify your goals, indicators, and evidence of success. By tracking and measuring your outputs and outcomes, you can assess your progress and performance, and learn from your feedback. By demonstrating your impacts, you can show your value and relevance, and justify your funding and support.

3 How to create your own map?

There are different tools and methods that you can use to create your own map of inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts. One common tool is a logical framework or a logframe, which is a matrix that summarizes the key elements of your project or program, such as objectives, indicators, sources of verification, and assumptions. Another common tool is a theory of change or a ToC, which is a diagram that illustrates the causal pathways and relationships between your activities and your intended impacts, as well as the context and assumptions that influence them. You can use these tools separately or together, depending on your needs and preferences.

4 How to use your map?

Once you have created your map, it can be used to guide and inform your planning and learning from feedback. For instance, you can use it to define the scope and focus of your work, set targets and milestones, monitor and report on outputs and outcomes, evaluate achievements and challenges, identify lessons learned, communicate results and impacts, and share your story and value proposition. Additionally, you can prioritize resources and actions, establish indicators and data sources, collect and analyze feedback, and reflect on best practices.

5 How to improve your map?

Your map is not a static or fixed document, but a dynamic and flexible tool that you can revise and update as you go along. To improve your map, you should review and validate your logic and assumptions, incorporating and responding to feedback, involving and consulting stakeholders, comparing and learning from others, and seeking external support or guidance. Testing your logic against reality and evidence, making adjustments and improvements as needed, benchmarking your work against similar or relevant projects or programs, and getting feedback from experts or peers are all important steps in this process.

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?