Data collection and tracking are critical to successful project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Using data to demonstrate programmatic impact also helps when applying for support opportunities, like grant funding. Follow our 4-step guide to using data to demonstrate the direct impact of your ACP adoption efforts on the communities you serve.
Step One: Level Set
Start by reviewing your current program plans, goals, and objectives. Approaching program implementation with a plan to track its outcomes will help ensure its success. It will also tell a story to funders and other stakeholders about your organization’s impact on the ACP adoption efforts in your community.
Tip: Start by understanding the current ACP adoption landscape of your community. See how it compares to the adoption rates of other municipalities, states, and the nation by visiting our ACP Enrollment Dashboard.
Step Two: Take Stock of What’s Possible
Next, review the metrics you are currently tracking. Are they the right ones? Do they help you show that your program is achieving the desired outcomes and impact?
Ask yourself:
- What are you tracking?
- How are you tracking it?
- Do you have the capacity to track it?
- Do you have a process to review, analyze, and report on it?
- Is there anything missing?
Tip: To measure the impact of ACP awareness efforts, you should track the total reach of a specific campaign or tactic. One idea is to place a unique link or QR code on a specific material to track how many people complete your call to action using that material. To measure the impact of enrollment support efforts, you should track how far in the application people get when you’re working together. You can incorporate in-event questions and tracking to get this information.
Step Three: Implement
Now that you have identified the types of data you would like to track and evaluated the capacity of staff to implement data tracking, consider the collection method. Determine the method that fits the questions you want to ask and the population you plan to serve. Learn more about data collection methodology.
Tip: A simple survey is a great way to collect qualitative data. Example questions include: whether a participant was previously connected to the internet, if they had previously heard about the ACP, or what outreach effort led them to your organization’s support. Allow participants to complete the survey on their own or incorporate it into the enrollment support process. Check out our Event Script to see how tracking can be integrated into an event.
Step Four: Learn and Adjust
Early monitoring of your program will enable you to see the elements of your program that are working. It also allows you ample time to course correct, if needed. In addition, understanding what is working allows you to double down on outreach methods or supports that are proving the most successful.
