This document discusses outcome-based measurement and why it is important for organizations. Outcome measurement focuses on the actual impacts and value created for users rather than just outputs and activities. It is better aligned with community needs and helps demonstrate accountability and enhance an organization's reputation to help secure funding. The document provides context on the difference between inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes/impacts. It also shares some resources for learning more about outcome measurement tools like Project Outcome and how other organizations are capturing community impact through outcomes.
Are NOT internally focused -- it is about the user and the outcomes they realize and the impacts on users collectively so need to measure the outcomes of users/customers
means you need to either ask them, observe them or have relevant results data about them
although an ancillary aspect of measuring service-based outcomes is program evaluation it is not the primary objective, just a valuable component of a continuous improvement both in terms of service delivery, but also in terms of better quality/more user Outcomes
Plan/Manage/Evaluate Services aligned to the goals and objectives of the community you serve
Assess the Effectiveness outcomes and impacts of delivered services
Need to measure Outcomes for several reasons
meet the objectives of Stakeholders
Continuous Improvement / Learning-based-organization
to demonstrate Value (not JUST demonstrating what you are doing and how often)
Ensure a foundation for Advocacy in an increasingly challenging funding environment that is increasingly looking for evidence -- more often in the form of measured outcomes
Dare I say it -- an effective way to demonstrate Competency / Due Diligence of the organization and build trust with stakeholders and especially funders
Logic Model - extending traditional Input, Activity and Output measures (used to measure and compare efficiencies)
Outcomes are used to measure effectiveness across multiple levels -- Individual, Group, Community and beyond
At the broader and typically longer term Community/Societal levels we refer to these as Impacts -- the consequence of achieving long-term and cumulative outcomes
Projectoutcome.org currently provides tools for measurement at the individual level
Originating as a PLA project during Carolyn Anthony's tenure as president of PLA, a Performance Measures Task Force was assembled to address the lack of standardized outcome measures for PL's
With the support of the PMTF and the Gates Foundation, Project Outcome.org was born with a mandate to provide PLs with standardized outcomes measures and resources to assist with everything from understanding WHAT Outcomes are, WHY they are important, HOW/WHEN to CAPTURE and USE them
So far, projectoutcome.org has been used to some extent by about 100 PLs
Projectoutcome.org measures are focused on capturing results from attendees at programs provided by libraries
This currently involves asking attendees to provide their feedback upon conclusion of the program
Their feedback follows a standardized and structured feedback form that can be delivered online, on paper and/or via an interview with attendees
Results captured offline are entered and tabulated so that they then can be analyzed across programs, organizations and eventually longitudinally
Projectoutcome.org measures are focused on capturing results from attendees at programs provided by libraries
The results include measurements of changes in awareness, knowledge, intention โ leading to eventual change in behaviour and/or status
This currently involves asking attendees to provide their feedback upon conclusion of the program
Their feedback follows a standardized and structured feedback form that can be delivered online, on paper and/or via an interview with attendees
Results captured offline are entered and tabulated so that they then can be analyzed across programs, organizations and eventually longitudinally