What are the most effective ways to share R&D impact evaluation findings?

1 Know your audience

Before you start sharing your impact evaluation findings, you need to know who you are talking to and what they want to know. Different audiences may have different levels of interest, expertise, and expectations regarding your R&D impact evaluation. For example, your funders may want to see how you used their resources and achieved your goals, your peers may want to learn from your methods and insights, and your potential customers may want to understand how your R&D outputs can benefit them. Therefore, you need to tailor your messages and formats to suit your audience's needs and preferences.

2 Choose your channels

Once you have identified your audience, you need to choose the best channels to reach them. Depending on your objectives and resources, you can use various media and platforms to share your impact evaluation findings. For example, you can use reports, briefs, infographics, podcasts, videos, webinars, blogs, newsletters, social media, or press releases. You can also use face-to-face or online events, such as workshops, conferences, seminars, or meetings, to interact with your audience and get feedback. You should select the channels that are most appropriate and effective for your audience and your R&D impact evaluation.

3 Use storytelling techniques

One of the most effective ways to share your impact evaluation findings is to use storytelling techniques. Storytelling can help you capture your audience's attention, convey your key messages, and inspire action. You can use stories to illustrate the problem you addressed, the solution you developed, the impact you achieved, and the lessons you learned. You can also use stories to showcase the experiences and testimonials of your beneficiaries, partners, or collaborators. You should use stories that are relevant, authentic, and compelling for your audience and your R&D impact evaluation.

4 Visualize your data

Another effective way to share your impact evaluation findings is to visualize your data. Data visualization can help you simplify complex information, highlight important trends and patterns, and compare different scenarios and options. You can use charts, graphs, maps, dashboards, or other tools to present your data in a clear and attractive way. You should use data visualization that is accurate, consistent, and easy to understand for your audience and your R&D impact evaluation.

5 Provide recommendations

Finally, you should provide recommendations based on your impact evaluation findings. Recommendations can help you demonstrate the value and implications of your R&D impact evaluation, and suggest actions or improvements for the future. You should provide recommendations that are specific, realistic, and actionable for your audience and your R&D impact evaluation. You should also explain how you plan to implement or follow up on your recommendations, and invite your audience to collaborate or support your efforts.

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?