How do you measure your social impact over time?

1 Define your goals and indicators

The first step to measure your social impact over time is to define your goals and indicators. Your goals are the specific and measurable outcomes that you want to achieve with your project or initiative. Your indicators are the metrics or data points that you will use to track your progress and performance towards your goals. For example, if your goal is to improve the health and well-being of a community, your indicators might include the number of people who access your services, the quality of your services, and the health outcomes of your beneficiaries.

2 Choose your methods and tools

The next step to measure your social impact over time is to choose your methods and tools. Your methods are the ways that you will collect, analyze, and report your data. Your tools are the instruments or platforms that you will use to implement your methods. For example, you might use surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observations as your methods, and you might use online platforms, spreadsheets, dashboards, or reports as your tools. You should choose your methods and tools based on your goals, indicators, resources, and audience.

3 Collect and analyze your data

The third step to measure your social impact over time is to collect and analyze your data. You should collect your data regularly and systematically, following your methods and tools. You should also analyze your data to identify patterns, trends, gaps, and insights. You should compare your data with your baseline, targets, and benchmarks, and evaluate your performance and impact. You should also check the quality, validity, and reliability of your data, and address any limitations or challenges.

4 Report and communicate your results

The fourth step to measure your social impact over time is to report and communicate your results. You should report your results in a clear, concise, and compelling way, using your tools and formats. You should communicate your results to your stakeholders, funders, and beneficiaries, using appropriate channels and messages. You should highlight your achievements, challenges, learnings, and recommendations, and show how your project or initiative is making a difference.

5 Learn and improve

The fifth step to measure your social impact over time is to learn and improve. You should use your results to reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and to identify areas for improvement and innovation. You should also use your results to inform your decisions, actions, and strategies, and to adjust your goals, indicators, methods, and tools as needed. You should also seek feedback and input from your stakeholders, funders, and beneficiaries, and incorporate their views and suggestions.

6 Celebrate and share

The sixth and final step to measure your social impact over time is to celebrate and share. You should celebrate your achievements and recognize your team, partners, and supporters. You should also share your results and learnings with your wider network and community, and showcase your impact and value. You should also use your results and learnings to inspire others, and to advocate for your cause and mission.