Resources - Social Value Lab

The Evaluation Cycle: How Learning Feeds Back Into Better Work

Stop treating evaluation as a one-off exercise. Learn to create continuous feedback loops that turn insights into improvements. Practical strategies for embedding learning into your charity's everyday practice.

Understanding Monitoring vs Evaluation: When You Need Each

Monitoring tracks ongoing activities; evaluation assesses outcomes at key points. Learn the crucial differences, when to use each approach, and how combining both creates a complete picture of your impact.

“What’s Our Impact?” A Simple Framework for Answering This Question

When funders ask about impact, where do you start? This simple framework breaks down the concept into understandable components any charity can apply. Move from panic to clarity with practical structure.

Outputs vs Outcomes: Why This Matters More Than You Think

Stop counting what you do and start measuring what changes. This crucial distinction transforms how you plan, evaluate and communicate impact. Includes practical examples and a six-month implementation plan.

Evaluation on a Shoestring: What You Can Do With No Budget

No budget doesn't mean no evaluation. Discover free tools, lean approaches, and creative strategies for measuring impact using existing resources. Practical guidance for resource-stretched charities to start today.

Five Signs Your Organisation Is Ready to Start Measuring Impact

Not sure if you're ready for evaluation? Use this simple framework to check readiness and capacity. Practical indicators help you identify the right time to start measuring impact properly.

“I Don’t Have Time for Evaluation”: Making the Case for Proportionate Measurement

Evaluation saves more time than it takes when done proportionately. Learn efficiency strategies that show how smart evaluation actually reduces workload, not increases it.

Making Sense of Numbers: Descriptive Statistics for Non-Statisticians

Turn raw data into meaningful insights using simple spreadsheet formulas. No maths degree needed - just practical techniques for calculating averages, spotting patterns, and reporting statistics honestly.

Qualitative vs Quantitative: Which Do You Need? (Probably Both)

Numbers show scale, stories reveal meaning. Discover why the best evaluations combine both approaches, when to use each method, and how to integrate statistics with human stories for powerful impact evidence.

What Good Evaluation Actually Looks Like (And What It Doesn’t)

Forget academic rigour and expensive methods. Good evaluation asks honest questions and finds credible answers to help you improve. Learn what genuinely matters versus common myths that keep charities stuck.

Creating One-Page Impact Summaries That Work

Learn to distil complex evaluation findings into one compelling page that busy funders actually read. Includes proven structure, design principles, and examples that balance data with human stories effectively.

How to Write Outcomes That Are Actually Measurable

Transform vague aspirations like 'empowerment' into specific, observable changes you can track. Master the SMART framework with real charity examples, common mistakes, and practical fixes for better evaluation.