Impact measurement, evaluation and data
Whether you’re a charity or funder, impact measurement and evaluation is all about helping you improve the good work you’re doing.
By understanding what’s going well, and what’s not, you can take steps to take to better serve the people and causes you support.
What’s more, you can pool those insights together through shared impact measurement. This helps you get the bigger picture on what is often a complex story.
You might be just starting out on all this. Or perhaps you need in-depth advice on a specific area, like handling data or conducting qualitative research. Whatever your situation, we have guidance for you.
Key tools and resources on measurement, evaluation and data
What does ‘impact measurement’ really mean?
We use the terms ‘impact’ and ‘impact measurement’ a lot. But what do they really mean? James Noble breaks it down for us.
Creating your theory of change: NPC’s practical guide
A theory of change is a tool that allows you to describe the need you are trying to address, the changes you want to make (your outcomes), and what you plan to do (your activities). It can help you improve your strategy, measurement, communication and partnership working.
Building your measurement framework: NPC’s four pillar approach
At NPC we believe in impact measurement as a way for charities and funders to increase their effectiveness. We know it helps organisations improve what they do and deliver the best results for their beneficiaries. Here we publish our four pillar approach which provides clear and practical guidance on developing an impact measurement framework.
Inspiring Impact
A UK-wide collaborative programme supporting organisations of all sizes to improve their impact practice. Inspiring Impact provides free tools and resources to help you know what to measure and how to measure it.
Stories and numbers: Collecting the right impact data
NPC’s briefing paper following our event on how charities can decide what types of impact data to collect.
The principles of good impact reporting: For charities and social enterprises
The stories charities and social enterprises tell engage, inform and inspire stakeholders. You should think about how you should communicate your impact, and what you should communicate.
5 types of data for assessing your work: An explainer
NPC has worked with many charities and social enterprises over the years to help them work out what data they need to understand and improve their work. It can be a confusing question, and sometimes even the word 'data' puts people off. Here our head of impact management James Noble introduces the different kinds of information organisations can collect.
Listen and learn: How charities can use qualitative research
Qualitative research is focused on what things mean to people, and so it sits very naturally with the questions that a charity asks. This paper explains why we think qualitative research approaches offer real benefits to charities seeking to understand and improve their work.
Balancing act: A guide to proportionate evaluation
What constitutes a proportionate and meaningful way to evaluate a programme? It’s a difficult but crucial question. This paper will help you think through the options and make a decision that reflects your organisation’s needs, available resources and the operating context.
An ode to qualitative research
Qualitative research is often misunderstood, and there has been a failure to recognise its value. Rosie McLeod explores the many benefits qualitative research can offer charities seeking to understand and improve the impact of their services.
Result! What good impact reporting looks like
How charities can plan and produce a good impact report.
Data with destiny: How to turn your charity’s data into meaningful action
In this short practical guide, we outline how charities can turn their raw data into wisdom and informed action.
Find out how we can help you
We can offer you and your organisation tailored support with your measurement, evaluation and data.
Get in touch
Further impact support
ImpactSupport.org is full of free tools and guidance to help charities and social enterprises of any size collect, analyse and use their data to improve their services.
Visit ImpactSupport.org