Impact theory too focused on measurement, says NCVO

Finance | Gareth Jones | 20 Oct 2009

The NCVO is to argue for a new approach to the notion of impact, as too much emphasis is placed upon measurement and not enough on ‘impact leadership’, according to its head of strategy and impact Dr Richard Piper.

Speaking at the Charity Finance Live conference on Monday, Piper (pictured) said: “Our contention is that over the last 15 years, the topic of impact has been essentially owned by the disciplines of evaluation and research. We’re not knocking that, but this has had a number of damaging effects.”

He said that trustees need to be asking “what should we plan to achieve”, and that if charities “prioritise specific impacts, make tough decisions, and clearly communicate them” then they are “much more likely to achieve more”.

He added: “Some say they find it easier to get money to evaluate impact than to create it. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be doing it, but is enough effort being put into the intellectual task of how we deliver impact?”

Piper said that it was the first time he had spoken on the topic so some of the ideas were still “a bit rough”, but that the umbrella body would soon be releasing a report entitled Impact Leadership which will outline its thoughts.

Directory: National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
Who's Who: Richard Piper

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