My Journey in Impact Assessment: Overcoming Fear, Clarifying Vision and Managing Priorities

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Embarking on a career as a consultant in impact assessment has been a journey filled with valuable learning experiences. Over the past few years, I've had the privilege of working with a diverse organization, helping them navigate the complexities of measuring and optimizing their impact. This article delves into my experiences, highlighting key challenges such as overcoming organizational fear, developing a clear vision, managing competing priorities and how I've addressed them to drive meaningful change.

From Policy Projects to Impact Assessment

My career began with supporting policy development projects for the state of California and working with funder collaboratives. These early experiences grounded me in the importance of structured, data-driven approaches to problem-solving. My transition into impact assessment was sparked by a desire to help a national foundation optimize its impact in the education sector. This shift allowed me to leverage my skills in a new, impactful way, leading to my current work.

Leading the NEA Foundation: Key Learnings and Insights

For the past three and half years, I have led the foundation in their impact assessment efforts. This role has provided invaluable insights into the dynamics of organizational change and the critical importance of building a culture centered around data, assessment, and continuous improvement.

One of the most significant lessons I've learned is that organizations need a safe space to evolve throughout the impact assessment process. It's essential to strike a healthy balance between pursuing ambitious goals and advancing the current work. This balance ensures that while striving for growth, the foundational activities that sustain the organization are not neglected.

Addressing Organizational Fear: Collaboration and Transparency

Organizational fear of failure is a common challenge in impact assessment. Many organizations hesitate to fully commit to the process, worried about what the data might reveal. To address this, I emphasize the importance of collaboration and transparency. Engaging the entire organization and its key stakeholders in the impact assessment process fosters a sense of ownership and collective responsibility. This inclusive approach not only mitigates a fear of failure but also promotes organizational learning and resilience.

By creating a safe environment where the organization’s members can openly discuss their concerns and uncertainties, I help them build confidence in their ability to assess and improve their impact. Transparency in sharing both successes and challenges is crucial for cultivating a culture that views failure as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback.

Developing a Clear Vision: Telling the Ideal Story

A lack of vision can hinder an organization's ability to make meaningful progress. To help organizations develop a clear vision, I encourage them to focus on telling the ideal story they want various stakeholders to know about them. This narrative-driven approach helps crystallize what success looks like and aligns the organization's efforts towards achieving their vision.

By guiding organizations to articulate their ideal future, I help them create a roadmap that outlines key milestones and success metrics. This process not only helps them clarify their goals but also inspires and motivates the team to work towards a common purpose. A clear vision serves as a powerful compass, directing the organization through the complexities of impact assessment.

Managing Competing Priorities: Aligning with Vision

Organizations often grapple with competing priorities, which can dilute their focus and hinder progress. When faced with this challenge, I remind organizations of the vision they developed and challenge them to identify which of the competing priorities aligns most closely with their future vision of success. This alignment ensures that their efforts are concentrated on activities that will drive the most significant impact.

By facilitating strategic discussions and helping organizations prioritize their initiatives, I enable them to allocate resources more effectively. This approach not only enhances their impact but also reinforces their commitment to the vision they have set forth. As a consultant working in impact assessment, it's about finding the right balance between immediate needs and long-term aspirations.

The Benefits of Impact Assessment

Conducting impact assessments offers numerous benefits for organizations. It aligns strategy with resources, provides a clear vision of what success looks like, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. Regular assessment cycles enable organizations to adapt and refine their strategies, ensuring sustained progress and resilience in the face of changing circumstances.

One of my core philosophies in consulting on impact assessment is similar to dining at a buffet—take what you like, try something new and leave the rest. Not all organizations are created equally, and what works for one might not work for another. However, recognizing the balance between what organizations would like to do and what they need to do to achieve their desired impact is crucial.

Personal Anecdotes and Advice

Throughout my journey, I've had the privilege of witnessing remarkable transformations. One notable project involved helping an organization that was initially hesitant about impact assessment due to fear of failure. By fostering a collaborative environment and emphasizing transparency, we built a robust impact assessment framework. The foundation not only gained valuable insights but has committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement, ultimately leading to improved outcomes like broader community engagement.

My advice to consultants embarking on this work is to learn your client's comfort zone and carefully help them expand it. Understanding their unique context and constraints is key to providing tailored solutions that drive meaningful change. Patience and empathy are essential qualities, as the journey towards impactful change is often gradual and iterative.

The Future of Impact Assessment

As financial resources become more limited, the role of impact assessment will become increasingly important. Organizations will need to demonstrate their effectiveness and efficiency to secure funding and support. Impact assessment provides the evidence base required to make informed decisions and showcase the value of their work.

My final message is to take it slow. Impact assessment is a journey, and it's essential to recognize that you won't always get it right the first time. Embrace the learning process and understand that valuable lessons can be gained from not hitting the mark right out of the gate. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and maintaining a clear vision, organizations can navigate the complexities of impact assessment and achieve lasting, meaningful change.

In conclusion, my experience as a consultant in impact assessment has been incredibly rewarding. By addressing organizational fear, helping organizations develop a clear vision and managing competing priorities, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of this work. Moving forward, the importance of impact assessment will only continue to grow, driving organizations towards greater effectiveness and impact.

Mario Jackson, EdD is a forward-thinking educational consultant with experience in developing and implementing strategic projects that enhance organizational outcomes. Currently, Mario leads impact assessment initiatives at the National Education Foundation, guiding data-driven decision-making and optimizing organizational impact. With experience in educational policy, philanthropy, and higher education trends, Mario excels in creative problem-solving, leadership coaching, and strategic consulting. His collaborative approach and deep understanding of the educational landscape drive positive client engagement and continuous improvement.