I’ve heard so many nonprofit leaders talk about client management or performance management databases like they are the answer to all of a program’s problems. If we had a database, we could . . . Know which clients are succeeding Better monitor our activities Track client progress over time Streamline our billing Save time on[…]
As a consultant and grant-maker, I’ve read a lot of outcome statements – the good, the bad, and the ugly. From that experience, I’ve identified my top 10 tips for writing strong outcome statements. Overall, if nothing else, make sure your outcomes are meaningful, measurable, and manageable. This requires that they be specific. Read on[…]
In all my teaching, training, and consulting, I’ve seen a continuum of attitudes about data, evaluation, learning, performance management and the like. Like any continuum, there are extremes at either end. There are those who love and value it (like me, and maybe you?) and those who dread or resent it. Here’s some of what[…]
In my last post, I argued that for continuous quality improvement work in nonprofits to be meaningful and make significant impacts on an organization, it must be: Intrinsically motivated Guided by our own definitions of quality Directed toward goals and driven to change Integrated, not siloed Applied and iterated In this post, I want to[…]
In my last post, I introduced a widely accepted definition of quality – meeting or exceeding customer expectations – and how a narrow (and uninspired) interpretation and application of that definition in the nonprofit sector has led to a focus on compliance rather than improvement. Rather than defining high quality service for ourselves, nonprofits define[…]
This is my third in a series of four posts that aim to provide nonprofits with some insights and tips for managing the multiple, sometimes overlapping, divergent, or competing demands of their funders. Last time, we pulled back the curtain to understand some explanations for some funder strategies. This week, I’m suggesting some ways nonprofits[…]
There have been a few distinct moments in my career when I’ve had the opportunity to pull back or step behind the curtain of some much-revered, awe- or fear-inducing thing. Each time, I’ve found that what’s behind it is often more manageable than mystifying. This was never more true than when I transitioned from my[…]
I’ve heard a few metaphors used to describe the delicate balance and skill required to secure, satisfy, and balance funding from multiple sources. Some describe it as a patchwork. Others describe it as a mobile, and if one side goes up or down, it unsettles the whole apparatus. Others describe it as juggling flaming batons.[…]
I got your attention with that title, didn’t I? Am I saying evaluation is a waste of time? Absolutely not. But I am saying that, often, the ways organizations invest their time in evaluation creates a lot of wasted effort and missed opportunities. Do you know a nonprofit that has time, energy, and resources to[…]
Sarah J. Buek, MSW – Founder & Principal Sarah founded The IllumiLab (as Insight Partners Consulting) in 2016 after having worked in the non-profit sector as a family therapist, program manager, quality improvement manager, grant-maker, and capacity-builder. Throughout her career, Sarah’s been driven toward increasing effectiveness, efficiency, and impact because she hates waste and loves[…]