Governance & Compliance

Social Impact Measurement

Funders, investors and communities increasingly ask organisations to demonstrate social impact. This course covers social impact measurement: theories of change, outcome indicators, data collection methods, attribution and contribution, social return on investment, reporting and using impact data for decisions.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Good intentions are not enough; stakeholders want evidence of results. You will learn practical, credible ways to measure impact.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Theory of change workshops, indicator design exercises, case studies and reporting practice.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Develop theories of change
Select outcome and impact indicators
Collect reliable impact data
Address attribution and contribution
Apply social return on investment concepts
Report and use impact findings

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

CSR and sustainability managers
Non-profit and foundation staff
Impact investors
Community programme managers
Government programme officers

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Theory of change
Indicator design
Data collection
Impact analysis
Reporting

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Impact Concepts

09:00–10:08Outputs, outcomes and impact
10:08–11:00Why measure
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Why measure (continued)
11:45–12:53Standards
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Theory of Change

09:00–10:08Building a theory of change
10:08–11:00Assumptions
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Assumptions (continued)
11:45–12:53Pathways
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Indicators and Data

09:00–10:08Indicator selection
10:08–11:00Surveys and interviews
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Surveys and interviews (continued)
11:45–12:53Data quality
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 4Analysis

09:00–10:08Attribution and contribution
10:08–11:00SROI concepts
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45SROI concepts (continued)
11:45–12:53Valuation
12:53–14:00Case study

Day 5Reporting

09:00–10:08Impact reports
10:08–11:00Learning and decisions
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Learning and decisions (continued)
11:45–12:53Communicating results
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

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The full course agenda and dates are available above. Use the session links in Dates & venues to choose a session. Registration and quotation forms require JavaScript; you can also contact our learning team directly.