Introduction to Impact Assessment
This introduction uses the Weaver’s Triangle, designed by Jane
Weaver it has been developed by the Charities Evaluation Service
(CES) as part of their monitoring and evaluation model.
The Weaver’s triangle
helps you identify the
aims and objectives,
so you can put in
place methods for
monitoring and
evaluating the work
you are carrying out
using performance
indicators such as:
Impact or outcome
and
Output measures
Self evaluation cycle
Needs assessment
Review project
and implement
recommendations
Set aims and
objectives:
what do you want
to achieve and
how?
Deliver work
programme
Set performance
indicators: to
measure your
progress
The Weaver’s Planning Triangle
OVERALL
AIM
SPECIFIC
AIMS
OBJECTIVES
Taken from Practical monitoring and evaluation – Charities evaluation services
What you are
hoping to achieve
Statements about
different aspects of
your main purpose
Identify what you will
do
The Triangle in context
AIM
Longer
term
effect
1:1 tutorials
promote
independent
learning skills
Adapted from CES Planning Triangle developed by Jane Weaver
SPECIFIC AIMS
The changes or differences we want to make
- learners able to manage their own work
- timely support for learners at risk
- late hand-ins and drop out reduced
- Increased learner confidence
- tutors use the learning conversation
effectively
OBJECTIVES
What we do to make those changes
▪ 1 year pilot managed by the Senior Tutor
▪ Learning Conversation training for Advanced Practitioners (APs)
▪ APs train programme teams
▪ Learner assessment for baselines
▪ Mentor support for tutors
▪ Monitoring and evaluation of pilot
Aims relate to outcomes & impact
Aims = the benefits or changes you are trying to
achieve
The overall aim should relate to the impact you are
trying to achieve
The specific aims should be linked to the
outcomes
start with words that indicate a change, for
example: to increase, to enable, to develop, to
improve etc.
Objectives relate to products or outputs
Objectives = the methods or the activities by which
you achieve your aims
The objectives should link to the products or
outputs from your activities (eg events held,
leaflets distributed, observations made)
start with words that indicate activity, for
example: to organise, to produce, to set up etc.
The Weaver’s Planning Triangle
OVERALL
AIM
SPECIFIC
AIMS
OBJECTIVES
IMPACT
WHY
we do it
Purposes
WHAT
we do
Activities
Taken from Practical monitoring and evaluation – Charities evaluation services
OUTCOMES
OUTPUTS
The Triangle in context
AIM
Longer
term
effect
1:1 tutorials
promote
independent
learning skills
OUTCOMES
Adapted from CES Planning Triangle developed by Jane Weaver
What outcome
measures will we
use?
The changes or differences we want to make
- learners able to manage their own work
- timely support for learners at risk
- late hand-ins and drop out reduced
- Increased learner confidence
- tutors use the learning conversation
effectively
OUTPUTS/ACTIVITIES
What we do to make those changes
▪ 1 year pilot managed by the Senior Tutor
▪ Learning Conversation training for Advanced Practitioners (APs)
▪ APs train programme teams
▪ Learner assessment for baselines
▪ Mentor support for tutors
▪ Monitoring and evaluation of pilot
How will we
monitor the
outputs?
What are outputs?
Outputs are linked to the project objectives
Outputs are all the detailed activities, services
and products connected to the project. Eg
training events, materials, leaflets, visits,
observations etc
Output example
Objective: Set up ‘surgeries’ to discuss the
new-build
Outputs:
• Drop in sessions for staff and the public to meet the
senior executive and estates manager in the
organisation
• Targeted consultation and advice sessions
Eg with learners with particular needs and their carers.
Output Indicators
The indicators are what you can use to assess
whether you have achieved your outputs
They assess progress towards meeting your
project objectives
They are a type of performance indicator
Output indicators, example
Output
• Drop in sessions for staff and the public to meet the
senior executive and estates manager in the
organisation
Output indicators:
• Number of drop in sessions
• Number of people attending
• Types of drop in sessions
• Profile of people attending
What are outcomes?
Outcomes are linked to the specific aims
Outcomes are the changes, benefits,
learning or other effects that actually occur
as a result of your activities. They can be
expected or unexpected, positive or
negative.
Outcome indicators or measures
• are how you assess whether an expected outcome is
occurring and assess progress towards meeting an
aim
• Impact and outcome measurement is basically about
the same thing, a change that results from the
improvement actions taken
• Outcome indicators are a performance indicator and
can be qualitative or quantitative
Outcome example
Specific aim: To improve the cascading of information
regarding the new-build across the organisation and in the
local community
Outcomes:
• Increased knowledge of the new-build programme
• Increased marketing of the organisation
• Increased confidence and reputation
What indicators or measures could you use?
Monitoring outputs and outcomes
Use the indicators for monitoring
• Collate information on your output indicators to show
outputs have been delivered and to show progress
towards meeting targets.
• Collect information on your outcome indicators to
demonstrate that outcomes are achieved.
Collect baseline information before you start, in order to
measure the impact of your improvement actions