Social Impact Assessment

Here is an in-depth resource guide for social impact assessment (SIA) tools, including information on survey tools, monitoring and evaluation tools, impact measurement and management tools, and others:

• Survey tools: These tools are used to collect data from stakeholders through surveys, either online or offline. Online survey tools, such as Google Forms or SurveyMonkey, allow easy distribution and data collection via the internet. Offline survey tools, such as paper-based surveys or interviews, may be used when internet access is limited. Pros: Surveys are a widely used and well-established method for collecting data; they can be customized to fit the project's needs. Cons: It may not be representative of the entire population or may suffer from low response rates; may not capture in-depth or nuanced information.
• SMS-based tools: These tools use text messaging to collect data from stakeholders. Pros: Allows easy data collection from mobile phone users; can reach a wide range of stakeholders. Cons: It may be limited to those with access to mobile phones; it may not capture in-depth or nuanced information.
• Phone-based tools: These tools use phone calls to collect data from stakeholders. Pros: Allows for in-depth and nuanced information to be collected; can reach a wide range of stakeholders. Cons: It may be time-consuming and resource-intensive; it may only be feasible in some contexts.
• Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools: These tools are used to track progress and evaluate the effectiveness of a project. Project-level M&E tools focus on specific outcomes or indicators, while comprehensive M&E tools consider a wider range of impacts. Pros: Helps identify areas for improvement and track progress over time; can be customized to fit the project's needs. Cons: It may be time-consuming and resource-intensive and require specialized expertise.
• Impact measurement and management (IMM) tools: These tools are used to measure and manage the impacts of a project, program, or organization. Pros: Helps to identify and prioritize impacts; allows for ongoing tracking and management of impacts. Cons: It may be time-consuming and resource-intensive and require specialized expertise.
• Impact rating tools assign a rating or score to a project or organization based on its impact. Pros: Allows for easy comparison of different projects or organizations; can help to prioritize projects or investments. Cons: It may be subjective or based on limited information; it may need to consider the context or complexity of a project adequately.
• Impact scorecard tools involve evaluating a project or organization using a set of predetermined criteria or indicators. Pros: Allows for a comprehensive assessment of a project or organization's impacts; helps to identify areas for improvement. Cons: It may be time-consuming and resource-intensive and require specialized expertise.
• SROI-based tools: These tools involve analyzing a project or organization's social, environmental, and economic impacts using the principles of social return on investment (SROI). Pros: Allows for a comprehensive assessment of a project or organization's impacts; helps to identify the financial value of social and environmental impacts. Cons: May be time-consuming and resource-intensive; may require specialized expertise

Students or beneficiary accessible through phone but not using email

In developed country students tend to be often easier to engage SMS instead of email.  In a developing country such as Bangladesh, India, or China factories, many laborers can only be accessed using a feature phone or smartphone in anonymous ways.

Depending on the situation, API-based platforms such as Twilio can be used to access beneficiaries or stakeholders.

List of SMS APIs

First-generation impact assessment platforms focus on gathering governance, environmental, and social policies to assess entrepreneurs or Small Medium Business (SMB) or Small Growing Business (SGB).  Let's look at three examples -

1. MIX Markets: For Microfinance Institutes

2. AERIS Cloud: For CDFI Institutes

3. B-Assessment:  Impact on its workers, community, environment, and customers.

4. B-Analytics: For investors, supply chain managers, business networks, and governments in helping companies to measure and improve their positive impact.

There is a major theme behind these first-generation impact assessment.  Their main goal is to provide bench-marking to institutes that they focus on. 

The problem is that they try to use "impact assessment" with a broader brush.  Reality is impact is a context sensitive and cannot be measured through ratings!

Impact Scorecard

Impact Scorecard is a reporting mechanism designed to communicate and track impact results by asset managers and assets.   Impact Scorecards are designed based on a theory of change with key metrics, each tracked to measure performance based on baseline, target, forecast, and actual results to ensure proper social performance.

Tools like Clear Impact allow public agencies, often healthcare organizations, to create an impact scorecard. At the same time, scorecard-based reporting is helpful in public agencies where regulatory reporting is important.

Benefits for Tools:

• Easier to use 
• Simpler Reporting
• Useful in a public agency where regular reporting is required from different agencies

Challenges:

• Every organization must select its metrics
• Data collection, management, and aggregation are not included, hence everyone has a different process 
• Inconsistent reporting
• Rigid reporting
• Do not provide feedback about the outcome to the organization

Example:

• Clear Impact: Web-based application for all things measuring and reporting.

Social accounting is a comprehensive approach to manage all social, environmental, and governance results and outcomes of assets, asset managers, and asset owners.  The mission-driven organization can often use the comprehensive platform such as Impact Cloud to manage social accounting.

Social Accounting is often another interchangeable term for social impact assessment.  The readers of the social impact tracker should safely replace all the resources mentioned in this article. Impact Cloud is the most powerful user experience, comprehensive and flexible social accounting platform.  

Related Links

• Social Impact

Social impact assessment is a process used to identify, predict, and evaluate the potential social and environmental impacts of a proposed project, policy, or program. It is an important tool for decision-makers to consider the potential impacts on communities and stakeholders and to identify ways to mitigate or avoid negative impacts and enhance positive impacts.

Here are some resources that provide information on social impact assessment:

1. International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) - https://www.iaia.org/what-is-impact-assessment
2. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - https://www.unep.org/sustainable-development/sustainable-development-goals/what-are-the-sustainable-development-goals/goal-17-partnerships-for-the-goals/target-17-16-enhance-the-means-of-implementation-and-revitalize-the-global-partnership-for-sustainable-development/indicator-17-16-1-number-of-countries-that-have-integrated-sustainable-development-goals-into-their-national-development-plans
3. World Bank Group - https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/safeguards/brief/social-impact-assessment
4. Social Impact Assessment Resource Centre - https://www.siar.info/
5. Environmental Defense Fund - https://www.edf.org/resources/social-impact-assessment-sia

These resources provide information on the purpose and process of social impact assessment, as well as guidance on how to conduct a social impact assessment and examples of best practices.

A social impact assessment (SIA) is a process used to identify and evaluate the potential social impacts of a proposed policy, program, project, or activity. It is typically conducted as part of the planning or decision-making process for the policy, program, project, or activity in question, and is designed to help ensure that the social impacts are considered and addressed in a proactive and responsible manner.

SIAs can be used to assess a wide range of social impacts, including economic, environmental, cultural, and community impacts. They can also be used to assess the potential impacts on different groups of people, including disadvantaged or marginalized groups.

Overall, the goal of a social impact assessment is to help identify and mitigate any negative impacts and to enhance the potential positive impacts of the policy, program, project, or activity on the community. By conducting a thorough and rigorous SIA, decision-makers can make more informed choices that consider the social impacts of their actions and strive to promote the well-being of all members of the community.