Building a Performance Measurement System

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If your organization is dedicated to social impact, you know how challenging it can be to evaluate progress on achieving your mission. A performance measurement system can provide your organization with the internal knowledge necessary to help you accelerate your organization's social impact, in addition to generating performance data that is increasingly required by funders.

This practical guide provides an easy-to-follow, five-step process for developing a performance measurement system that will serve as an essential tool for any organization seeking to:

• Select what to measure in order to obtain a clear picture of the organization s progress in achieving its mission, goals, and vision
• Develop dashboards for internal reporting and learn how to analyze performance data to gain insights into the organization s strengths and identify opportunities for improvement
• Create a culture of learning and continuous improvement that involves management, board, and staff in making strategic, data-driven decisions and ultimately accelerates the organization s progress toward enduring social impact
• Develop report cards to communicate performance and impact to external stakeholders
• Use data-based evidence to aid in building funder confidence and securing new and returning investments

Building a Performance Measurement System draws on Root Cause s unique performance measurement methodology, which was developed through its work with social innovators throughout the United States, as well as a number of international organizations. It is the second in our series of Root Cause How-to Guides.

Templates

• Performance Measurement Audit Tool (Appendix A): Use this tool to prepare for building a performance measurement system.

• Master Indicator List Template (Appendix B): This document will help you organize indicators as you select them.

• Management Dashboard Template (Appendix C): Use this template to create regular reports on your data for your management team.

• Program-Level Dashboard Template (Appendix D): Use this template to create regular reports on your data for the leaders of individual departments or programs.

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