Core beliefs

We designed an approach called Learning Driven Assessment to help foundations, nonprofits, social enterprises, and other stakeholders discover ways to increase impact. This approach is rooted in 10 core beliefs about best practice assessment.

Hear the constituent voice
Involve constituents at every stage of the assessment.
Exercise rigor within reason
Given the context of the effort, design the most credible assessment that is feasible.
Drive assessment with learning
Address gaps in existing knowledge, understand what works and why, and harvest learning opportunities from "failures."
Don't measure everything
Focus assessment on information that will truly be used.
Assessment and strategy are inextricably linked
Design assessment and strategy together.
Don't let assessment sit on a shelf
Actively use lessons gained through assessment to drive decisions about strategy, program design, and execution.
Collaborate, don't dictate
Co-create the assessment with program leaders; ensure there are sufficient resources to execute successfully.
Build off and build up
Don’t assess what is already “known” in the sector, look beyond your own organization for answers.
Borrow, don't reinvent
Re-purpose existing assessment tools when possible, don’t create new methods unnecessarily.
Foster a learning culture
In addition to tools and methods, assessment needs leadership that values learning in order to succeed.

	Our core beliefs Laura Callanan, McKinsey's philanthropy expert in the Social Sector Office, explains our core beliefs on Learning Driven Assessment.

	A common culture of sharing Sean Stannard-Stocton, founder of Tactical Philanthropy Advisors, talks about developing a common culture of sharing.

E-mail this to a friend.

Core beliefs

Our core beliefs

A common culture of sharing