This document discusses how information and communication technologies (ICT) can help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of outcomes monitoring. It provides examples of tools for collecting, storing, retrieving, and presenting outcomes information. These include online surveys, websites, databases, digital files, and tools for data analysis and visualization. The document also outlines steps for developing an ICT system for outcomes monitoring, including identifying needs, researching options, allocating resources, and creating an action plan. It emphasizes the importance of data protection policies and practices.

1. ICT for Outcomes Monitoring
27th November 2012
Raising awareness of a range
of ICT tools that can be
deployed to improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of
outcomes monitoring.

2. Session objectives
• Learn how ICT can help with collecting, storing, retrieving and
presenting outcomes information
• Understand more about the processes involved in implementing a
holistic system
• See demonstrations looking at ‘off the shelf' systems selected for
relevance in terms of services, client group and cost
• Start identifying specific tools that will enable you to better capture
information relating to your organisations outcomes
• Draft an action plan to support adoption of these tools over the next
year 6 – 12 months

3. Your current practice
How are you currently using ICT to capture
& evidence Outcomes?
What challenges do you face?
Do you already have ideas for how you can
improve this process?

4. Why ICT can help?
Greater efficiency:
• Automating manual processes
• Reducing paperwork
• Reducing staff time
Greater effectiveness:
• Sharing / accessing information
• Analysing data in more sophisticated ways
• Presenting information with greater impact & to a
wider variety of audiences

5. Collecting Outcomes information
• Online surveys
• Website feedback
• Outreach laptops
• Digital / video cameras
• Dictaphones / mobile phones
• Diaries / blogs

6. Source: London
Housing
Foundation

7. Storing Outcomes information
• Spreadsheets
• Databases
•
Developed in-house
• Custom built
• Off the shelf
• Digital filing

8. Source: London Housing Foundation

10. Online repositories
• e.g. Huddle, Dropbox, Flickr,
Evernote
• Can be shared with team or external
partners
•Can be accessed from anywhere
including mobile devices

11. Retrieving & analysing
Outcomes info
• Spreadsheets – filtering, sorting,
pivot tables
• Database - queries & reports
• Exporting as csv files & importing to
Excel

12. Presenting Outcomes info
• Charts & graphs
• Dashboards
• Websites
• Annual reviews
• Videos / Digital Storytelling
• Email signatures

13. Feedback on a website
(www.illuminateict.org.uk)

14. Video footage

15. Developing a system…
First steps
Get together as a team and identify and
agree the what, how, when, why and
then capture this on paper
Remember to include bother outputs and
outcomes

16. Next steps…
 Carry out an audit of current systems
– what are you using, what works
well, what frustrates you etc
 Document how you are structuring
your information e.g. the ‘fields’ you
are using
 Draw up a brief – include some
background and specify what you
need – remember to future proof

17. Next steps…
 Then consider…
• Is this something that can be
realistically developed in house?
• If not, research whether a system
already exists to meet your needs?
• If not, budget for the bespoke option

18. Resources required?
 Upgraded ICT infrastructure?
A new system or developments to an
existing system?
 Data migration or start from scratch?
 Staff roles and training?

20. Selecting a database for monitoring
 http://www.ces-vol.org.uk/Resources/Charitie

21. http://www.ces-vol.org.uk/tools-and-resources/planning-for-monitoring-evaluation

23. Outcomes star
Versions currently available:
 Homelessness Star
 Mental Health Recovery Star
 Teen Star
 Alcohol Star
 Work Star
 Older Person's Star
 Family Star
 Community Star
Versions currently in development:
 Music Therapy Star
 Life Star for learning disability
 Spectrum Star for autism & aspergers syndrome
 Sexual Health Star
 Well-being Star
 Empowerment Star for domestic violence services

24. Teen Star
This version has been developed for and with teenagers in a
substance misuse setting but should be applicable in
other settings.
 Outcome areas (6):
• Drugs and alcohol
• Well-being
• Safety and security
• Structure and education
• Behaviour and citizenship
• Family and other key adults
 These link to the five high-level Every Child Matters
(ECM) outcomes….

25. Evidencing outcomes at different
levels
The Outcomes Star can provide outcomes data at four levels:
 For individual service users: the Star gives a snapshot of where they were on
each outcome area when they joined the project and at each review – the difference
between starting point and review shows the progress made in that time.
 For a project as a whole: the average starting points on entry to the service and
the amount of progress made in a specified time period or over their life-time in the
project can be calculated – this gives a picture of the project outcomes. The
Outcomes Star™ online can provide this information at the touch of a button.
 For a group of projects across an organisation: the same information as above
can be calculated for each project allowing comparison between different services.
In addition users of the Outcomes Star™ online can compare the progress made by
different sub-groups of clients, for example women and men or older and younger
service users.
 For similar projects across a sector: the same analyses as described above can
be carried out for a sector as a whole. This makes it possible to establish
benchmarks identifying good practice and building an outcomes-focused evidence
base. This is only possible using the Outcomes Star™ online.

26. www.staronline.org.uk

27. www.lamplightdb.co.uk

28. Lamplight demos
 Customising fields
 Adding outcomes and seeing change
 See your impact overall

29. www.socialimpacttracker.org

30. Developing an action plan
 Outcomes & indicators
 Using ICT to capture / present this
information
 Resources required – infrastructure &
skills
 Allocating responsibility / setting a
timeline

31. Best practice issues
 Are you registered with the information
commissioner?
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
 Do you have a data protection & privacy
policy and explain why you collect data
and what it will be used for?
 Do you ask for permission to use
photos / videos?
 Is your client data secure i.e. password
protected, backed up, safeguarded with
anti virus software and a firewall?

32. For more help contact:
Superhighways
0208 255 8040
katewhite@superhighways.org.uk