Tell the Story: Why Performance Measures MatterCat Keen, M.S.W., M.B.ANational Service Programs Director
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:• Describe key performance measurement concepts.• Increase their knowledge related to outputs and outcomes.• Describe how performance measurement can be useful in program management.
Performance Measures?
Performance measurement is the ongoing, systematic process of tracking your program or project’s outputs and outcomes.
Why Performance Measurement?
Accountability to funders and stakeholders
• Tell your story, justify funding
Recognizing progress; reflects change
• Reliable information collected in a systematic way
Why Performance Measures?Program improvement• Spot and correct problems • Strengthen the
intervention• Determine where to
allocate limited resources
*Performance measurement is an integral part of program development, implementation, and assessment
Outcomes• Reflect the changes or benefits that
occur • Can reflect changes in individuals,
organizations, communities, or the environment
• Address changes in attitudes/beliefs, knowledge/skills, behavior, or conditions
Types of Outcomes
Attitude/Belief Knowledge/Skill Behavior Condition
Thought, feeling Understanding, know-how Action Situation,
circumstance
Outcome Examples - EducationAttitude/Belief Knowledge/Skill Behavior Condition
Increased interest in school
Improved math ability
Increased school attendance
Successful completion of High School
Outcome Examples – Healthy Futures
Attitude/Belief Knowledge/Skill Behavior Condition
Increased desire to adapt good nutrition habits
Improved low-budget cooking skills
Increased healthy food intake
Improved household food security (supply)
Theory of Change (logic model)
Community Need
Specific Intervention
Intended Outcome
Evidence• Guides choice of intervention
• Supports cause-effect relationship
Statistics documenting the
need
EVIDENCE: Information that supports your choice of a specific
intervention and its ability to produce your intended outcome.
It is NOT enough to just say “we believe” our intervention is “likely” to be successful. You need to justify
your choice with evidence.
Possible sources of evidence include:
• Your past performance measurement outcome data• Results from an impact evaluation of your program
• Research that documents the outcomes of similar programs
Activity: Give Me The Money
My organization serves_____(output) through ________(intervention)
resulting in _________(outcome).
Thank you!Cat Keen, M.S.W., M.B.A.National Service Programs DirectorVolunteer Florida3800 Esplanade Way, Suite 180Tallahassee, FL 32311850.414.7400 ext. 107 (office)850.933.8517 (cell)www.volunteerflorida.org