3.2 Approaches to measuring and evaluating social impact

The social impact measurement process is a planning procedure that should underpin every organisation – defining its values, vision, mission, aims and objectives so that the organisation is clear on what they wish to achieve. An organisation should always be guided by its values.

There are a few approaches to measuring and evaluating social impact. In this section you will learn about three approaches. First, the life cycle assessment (LCA), a technique to assess the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product, process or service. Second, the triple bottom line, a popular approach to impact measurement developed for assessing results of business activities. Third, the social performance scorecard, an approach that considers social impact in terms of measurable indicators of social performance.

Each approach will have practical examples. You should consider and compare them with other approaches you may know as the basis for developing an approach that works for you or your organisation.