Measuring impact in development projects is an evocative topic, a term with dimensions, and a concept influenced by field practices, scientific studies, and real-life facts. I often hesitate to discuss it because these words aren't enough to adorn the neck with a necklace!

However, I will send quick and short messages through this article, and I ask God for success:

As a general framework: We should not be excessive in setting the desired (impact) framework from our projects, to avoid them being merely habitual, loved, or desired actions! This framework resembles (strategic direction) and outlines the goal of (theory of change) within the organization.

Measuring impact answers fundamental questions regarding:

What is the reason for the organization’s existence? Why are we doing this?

How is this achieved?

What is the extent of our contribution through our tools to this outcome after isolating the effects stemming from different parties (and this alone is a complex process)...

Measuring impact, in its scientific form, often takes a long time span. It usually begins only after the project has ended for a period, such as at least six months... In fact, some development entities estimate it at ten years! This means starting the measurement ten years after your project ends! To measure (the impact), and it goes without saying that we should not start before we have set the baseline... within the activities and studies conducted at the beginning of the project... Moreover, this measurement should encompass direct and indirect, negative and positive effects... and be conducted by an independent and neutral team...

For this reason, adequate resources should be allocated for its execution, whether financial, temporal, or competent skills that can work on it effectively... to provide real results and not (sales)!

Also, the process of measuring impact is an advanced process and should be preceded by prior operations which are:

The ability to set up a follow-up and evaluation plan for the project activities in the first place.

The ability to draw the logical framework or theory of change for the project and the organization...

Without these, the process would be futile or simply amusing at best!

I also believe that we should increase care and attention towards follow-up and evaluation issues as one of the most crucial inputs for impact measurement... for climbing the ladder starts from its base step by step... and it disturbs me that we ask organizations to measure impact while they cannot handle follow-up and evaluation!

It is also important to review the organization’s business model, and whether we can develop our services or offer them as they are at lower costs? To review the target group for our activities, and ensure that we design our programs for them, and that they are (satisfied) or (accepting) of them, and whether our services are provided within our organization's priorities and the priorities of the beneficiaries?

Additionally, impact measurement should be for a mature version of the project and should not present a version subject to modification and development. Did we work on developing the project design and ensure the relevance and connection criteria... before moving to the criteria of impact and sustainability?

Impact measurement often requires stable environments to work on it methodically and scientifically, as rapid economic changes or political fluctuations have broader and more dangerous effects... thus the results give non-credible indications...

And measuring impact is not an "obligation." If the impact is apparent and acknowledged... we do not have many available resources to waste on merely having a (stamp) and (approval)... so if you have emerging evidence of your impact, abstain from measuring impact!

Conversely, I am very annoyed at the use of the term as one of the prestige requirements and climbing this term, to flatter donors or supervisory ministries... when its reality was merely a clumsy questionnaire about (beneficiary satisfaction) presented at the end of the program!

Playing with terms and terminology is a dangerous and alarming indicator, so balancing the discussion about measuring impact is a necessity, and in my opinion, the demand should not extend beyond measuring impacts at the level of returns/results and not impact... and also that these demands align with the nature of the project or program, so not all projects and programs should have these traits and this level.

Any discussion about measuring impact without addressing its possibilities will be limited and lack realism... and discussing this subject with (small) associations in (remote) villages and towns or agencies suffering from (scarcity of resources and competencies) or (lack of direction)... I see it as a lack of priorities.

Finally;

Everything I said represents a personal viewpoint... I do not fight for it... nor argue about it... you can object, refute, cancel, and delete... it was just a pouring out of thoughts that have been brewing in my chest for some time... so it is not necessary for me to comment on your remarks... because the topic, as I said at the beginning, is evocative.

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