An Extension Impact Indicators System should:
- define its terms: inputs--outputs--outcomes, and ultimate impacts.
- present impacts on the quality of life in Wisconsin that can be logically connected to Extension programs, recognizing that impacts are influenced by a variety of interacting factors so that direct cause-effect relationships can rarely be proven.
- emphasize ultimate impacts, but also recognize that in some cases outputs or outcomes can represent meaningful results.
- acknowledge that accountability for impact is shared, i.e., Extension is only one actor in a situation where other organizations, citizens and external factors all affect ultimate impacts.
- serve as a framework for a wide variety of evaluation efforts across the institution.
- include modeling of sophisticated evaluation design to assess performance and validate linkages among program outputs, outcomes, and impacts.
- present impacts in a variety of selected programs from across the institution each year.
- feature different programs from year to year on a rolling cycle--a cycle carefully planned to coincide both with the programs that will have the most credible outcomes data in a given year, and with the current interests of state government in Extension programming in a given year.
- include not only data based on empirical research, but also narrative that demonstrates how the programs have enhanced the lives of particular individuals or groups of Wisconsin citizens.
- articulate the value of Extension programs in ways readily comprehensible to non-Extension and non-academic audiences.
- stimulate improved performance by calling attention to successful initiatives and strategies for documenting success.
- build a storehouse of data that we can use for performance comparisons year to year and with other states.
- provide an avenue for key stakeholders to work together in establishing impact measures.
- reflect administrative commitment and resource investment needed over time to ensure successful implementation of the impact framework.