Increasing the Capacity of Individuals, Families and Communities

Outcomes Measurement

Introduction | Getting Started

Measuring Outcomes Overview

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Effective Outcome Measurement Practices
This guidebook is not meant to make you an expert in evaluation or research methodology. Rather, it will provide you with the basics you need to conduct outcome measurement. Having said this, however, it is important to recognize that the outcome measurement work you undertake (and the outcome-related work of faith and community-based organizations who receive your support and assistance) must meet certain standards. Four program evaluation standards have been developed by The Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation (1994). They are commonly accepted as guiding principles for any effective evaluation work, including outcome measurement. The standards include:

• Utility: the information generated must serve the needs of the intended users
• Feasibility: the process undertaken must be realistic, prudent, diplomatic and frugal
• Propriety: the evaluators must behave legally, ethically and with due regard for the welfare of those involved and affected
• Accuracy: the findings must reveal and convey technically accurate information

Without attention to these standards, your work and your results will not be credible or useful and, ultimately, will not help you continually improve your program.

An Outcome Framework
The guidebook provides information useful to both you, as an intermediary, and to the faith-based and community organizations you serve. The outcome measurement steps are the same, regardless of who conducts the work, and regardless of the type of program. The examples included in the guidebook generally apply to functions performed by both groups (e.g., grants acquisition, grants management or partnership development).

As an intermediary, your outcomes focus on increasing the capacity of the grassroots organizations to deliver high quality services. Ultimately, these organizations focus on improving the quality of functioning and life for the participants, clients, consumers or customers they serve and the communities in which they operate. One way to visualize the relationship between you and the grassroots organizations with whom you work is shown on the following page and demonstrates how your success on your outcomes contributes to the success of the faith-based and community organizations.

An Outcome Framework   Intermediaries provide training and technical assistance to FBCOs             To increase FBCOs’ knowledge and skills in key topic areas         Your outcome measurement is likely to focus here To bring about positive changes in FBCOs’ organizational practices         And here To improve the quality of service FBCOs provide to their participants, clients, consumers or customers     To improve the quality of life for service recipients and in their communities

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Introduction | Getting Started