Friday 23 May 2014

"You don't increase the weight of a pig by weighing it!"

We had a team discussion this week looking at how to better present our Interim Business Plan and project work in terms of the famous trilogy of “Inputs - Outputs and Outcomes”.

I am notoriously skeptical about this methodology, notwithstanding its support and advocacy from highly regarded think tanks like New Philanthropy Capital and the Charities Evaluation Service. It works backwards from a high level aim – “Employability” or in our case “Improving the lives of young people by supporting our member organisations” through to specific activities that directly or indirectly contribute to that overall aim. I take it as a universal truth that no one organisation can make a significant social impact by itself, but has to work with others, and indeed the methodology “claims” the inputs of others. My criticism is that the methodology presumes straight line relationships between the three elements with little regard for other contributing factors or, unintended consequences. The net result is the risk of an over-stated, contorted and academically indefensible list of causes and effects being established in the name of performance management that takes time and effort (weighing the pig) and diminishing the time to deliver the work and improving the service (the weight of the pig).

OF COURSE we have to demonstrate impact and difference, and in our very good team session we have followed the methodology but in a way that works for us, and fits with some new thinking about how we will account for staff time (inputs) and the share of overheads. Our thanks to our financial friends in Surrey Care Trust for their help on this - the issue was how to attribute overhead costs to externally funded projects. SO in sum we are improving our processes again in a way which we all think is practicable, as well as politic.

Lots of follow – up and positive feedback from last week’s Reception at County Hall.

It’s been a week of goodbyes ..to Toby Wells of Surrey CC’s Youth Justice Service – Toby pretty much invented the concept of restorative justice and argued bravely against locking young people in prison at a time when the Police and Judiciary saw no alternative. Also said goodbye to Hanna Moore my equivalent in West Sussex who is moving her family to her native USA.

On a personal level our Foodbank start-up project is progressing well, and I am walking every week-end now..getting lighter and fitter..slowly. Enjoy the long week-end.
           Mike 

No comments:

Post a Comment