Why Planning is Crucial for Impact Measurement and Effective Methods to Capture Data

Send us Fan MailStage two of the LEAN social impact approach is planning. If you miss this stage you risk measuring the wrong things in the wrong way, a mistake many social enterprises make.Heidi explains how an organisation which works with young people with Special Educational Needs planned what to measure – and how to do so effectively.Many organisations fall back on the easy option of questionnaires to capture data, instead of adopting a flexible approach. Surveys and questionnaires aren't always fit for purpose and would not have worked in this case. Heidi describes several flexible and interactive ways to capture data. These powerful and effective ideas could work for your social enterprise too.She explains what this client planned to measure and how they did it – plus why it is vital to focus on measuring a small number of key outcomes.In The Impact Diaries Heidi gives real-life examples of the five stage LEAN social impact approach in action."Once you've defined your ultimate goal it's crucial NOT to jump straight to stage three, when you start measuring." Find out how to plan most effectively in this episode.Timings:0 - 1:15 Introduction1:15 The organisation featured in this episode works with young people with special educational needs to provide them with employability skills and work experience1:55 Why surveys would not be appropriate or effective in this situation2:30 Heidi explains several ways to capture data at workshops and events (physical and virtual)9:11 Are people ever self-conscious about participating in these activities?11:40 Planning helps to capture evidence – what happened next with Heidi's client working with young people?15:45 Heidi explains how planning is fundamental to effective impact measurement and is distinct from the measurement stage17:20 Other crucial elements of the planning stage of the LEAN social impact approach and why it's important to focus tightlyThe five stages of Heidi's LEAN social impact approach are Define, Plan, Measure, Analyse and Learn. Heidi's new book, out in Autumn 2020, shares everything she knows about impact measurement and management – and how to implement it in your organisation.Get your copy first! Pre-order one of the limited number of hardback versions ofImpact First – The Social Entrepreneur's Guide to Measuring, Managing and Growing Your Impact at https://www.makeanimpactcic.co.uk/my-book-impact-firstSupport the showHi, I'm Heidi Fisher, the host of the Make an Impact Podcast.  I'm an impact measurement expert, passionate about helping you make a bigger impact in the world by maximising the impact your services have. I can help you to measure, manage and communicate the impact you have better to funders, investors, commissioners and other stakeholders, and to systemise your data collection and analysis so that it frees up time and doesn't become an additional burden.  I love helping you to measure social and economic impacts, including Social Return on Investment or value for money assessments, as part of understanding the change you make to peoples' lives. You can get in touch via LinkedIn or the website makeanimpactcic.co.uk if you'd like to find out more about working with me.