What if we could make the success of policy measures clearer and more visible, from the initial idea right through to implementation and evaluation? This is exactly what impact logic does: it provides us with guidance and support throughout the entire policy cycle, enabling us to make informed decisions and work towards our goals in a targeted manner.
A digital tool to support impact-oriented policies
The impact model development tool is aimed at people who are involved in the policy cycle and need to take an impact-oriented perspective. Impact models help users to visualise and understand com-plex inter-relationships. They provide a clear overview of the process logic and impact chains of a measure by depicting complex inter-relationships as simple, logical connections. Visual representation of if-then relationships makes it easy to understand how the key elements of an intervention interact.
Impact models are particularly relevant to people who work within the policy cycle and need to gain an impact-oriented perspective. This includes decision-makers and experts who are involved in strategic planning, developing and implementing measures and evaluating results. Impact models provide these people with a sound basis for developing targeted political measures, monitoring implementation and carrying out precise evaluations of the impact achieved.
Specifically, impact models simplify the analysis of measures and their effects and make it easier to formulate clear objectives and indicators. They make it possible to assess the potential impact of political decisions (ex ante) and serve as a basis for measuring and evaluating impact after implementation (ex post). They help to optimise the use of resources by demonstrating the effectiveness and efficiency of measures. As a communication tool, impact models promote the transparency and clarity of complex content, for technical experts and the public alike. This supports well-founded decision-making and creates trust in political processes.
Impact models should also be seen as a working tool. It is not uncommon for impact models to be adapted and refined during their creation and while being used within the policy cycle. They support the cycle of political strategy development, impact measurement and strategy change or optimisation.
Tool zur Entwicklung von Wirkungsmodellen
(Available only in german)
From planning to evaluation
The tool for developing impact models offers two possible entry points and three modules, covering the different phases and needs involved in planning and evaluating measures.
Depending on their individual issues and requirements, users can choose between two entry points, starting with either module 1 or module 2. Module 1 is particularly suitable for initial planning of interventions, while module 2 is designed for developing the specific elements of an impact model. Module 3, which is used to formulate SMART objectives and determine indicators, cannot be started until module 2 has been completed.
Three modules and their functions:
- Module 1 – Planning effective interventions: This module lays the foundation for impact-oriented policy-making. The module helps participants to define problems and their causes, develop appropriate options for action and establish interventions.
- Module 2 – Illustrating interdependencies: This module helps participants to develop the various components of an impact model in detail. The aim is to represent the relationships between measures, activities and their expected impact.
- Module 3 – Measuring impact: The third module focuses on measuring the actual impact achieved. The information from module 2 is used to define indicators and systematically evaluate whether objectives are being achieved.
The choice of entry point depends on the participant’s individual issue and can be adapted flexibly. The information obtained in the second module forms the basis for the work undertaken in the third module. This enables seamless integration between the modules and supports the entire process of planning and evaluating impact-oriented measures.
The digital tool is supplemented by guidelines on developing impact models and can be used in parallel.
While the tool helps with practical application and offers interactive support, the guidelines provide in-depth background information, examples and methodological explanations. Together, they enable a comprehensive and well-founded approach to planning, implementing and evaluating measures. The guidelines serve as a theoretical basis and offer additional tips that make use of the tool even more effective. This allows the two resources to be used flexibly and in parallel to create successful impact-oriented interventions.
Project partners
The guidelines were developed by Interface on behalf of the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN and in collaboration with a broad-based advisory group comprising the following organisations: ARE, FOPH, SFOE, FCh, FOAG, FSIO, FDFA, SFAO, FPC, Innosuisse, SERI, SECO and SSC. Interface, in collaboration with Skouhus & Bombelli AG, also created the tool for developing impact models based on a comprehensive catalogue of requirements. The tool can be used in addition to the guidelines for a user fee.
The user fee is financed by the following federal offices: FOJ, FOEN, FOPH, FSIO, SDC, SERI, SECO, SFOE and TPF.
More transparency and clarity thanks to clear visualisation
The tool helps users to visualise if-then relationships and complex interdependencies. These visualisa-tions make it easier to understand the causal relationships between measures, activities and their expected impact. The graphic representation creates a clearer overview of complex content, enabling significantly more effective communication between different stakeholders such as contractors and clients, political decision-makers, technical experts and the public. This makes it easier to explain measures and strategies transparently and to create a shared understanding of objectives and their implementation.
The new tool enables participatory creation of impact models and guarantees data security. The inter-face is intuitive and contains helpful information and instructions. Graphics can be customised and exported in PDF format, resulting in clear visualisations of recognition impact and reducing complexi-ty.
The tool is available free of charge to the entire evaluation community, as well as to any interested organisations and experts.
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Tool zur Entwicklung von Wirkungsmodellen
(Available only in german)
Last modification 22.11.2024
