Key Terminology

Question 1

Well-being

Answer 1

A state of being comfortable, healthy or happy reflecting a comprehensive measure of both individual and collective health and prosperity extends beyond physical health to encompass mental social and environmental dimensions

Question 2

Aspects of well-being

Answer 2

The main elements of a persons life that contribute to the overall level of well-being. An extensive body of research exists regarding what the main aspects or dimensions of well-being. These are often assembled into lists or well-being frameworks and used as a set of things to measure to help understand how well-being levels go up or down.

Question 3

Outcomes

Answer 3

Aspects of well-being that could change for a stakeholder as a consequence of an activity

Question 4

Well-defined outcomes

Answer 4

The specific aspects of well-being, within a sequence of outcomes, that provides the best opportunity to optimise overall well-being. Identify this specific aspect and point in a sequence of ‘things that change’ requires meaning for stakeholder engagement.

Question 5

Outcome depth

Answer 5

The amount and direction of change in an outcome experienced by stakeholders between two points in time

Question 6

Outcome depth levels

Answer 6

Data points for an outcome that can be measured at any given moment in time (e.g. baseline, midpoint, endpoint)

Question 7

Indicators

Answer 7

Metrics, instruments or tools that capture outcome levels to provide an outcome depth

Question 8

Outcome scale

Answer 8

The number of people that experience outcome depth

Question 9

Outcome duration

Answer 9

The length of time that a stakeholder continually experiences the outcome depth

Question 10

Outcome drop-off

Answer 10

The rate of decline in the outcome depth overtime. The rate is expressed as a percentage in relation to the outcome generation.

Question 11

Outcome thresholds

Answer 11

Pre determined outcome levels that are required by specific point in time for the outcome depth to be considered positive or negative performance

Question 12

Outcome target

Answer 12

Predetermined outcome levels

Question 13

An ambitious outcome target

Answer 13

Predetermined outcome level to be achieved by specific point in time that would provide stakeholders with optimal well-being

Question 14

Outcome results

Answer 14

Comparing the outcome depth against outcome, thresholds and targets to determine a positive or negative performance. Note: a positive change in an outcome may not meet an outcome threshold or an outcome target and therefore would not be considered a positive performance

Question 15

Impact

Answer 15

How much of the outcome depth and outcome duration is caused by the activity

Question 16

How much impact

Answer 16

Sum of all the impacts caused by the activity

Question 17

Attribution

Answer 17

How much others contributed to impact of activity

Question 18

Counterfactual

Answer 18

Estimation of what would have happened to beneficiaries if the intervention had not happened

Question 19

Value

Answer 19

How much something is worth or how important is to stakeholders

Question 20

Outcome depth value

Answer 20

The relative or importance of the outcome depth expressed by the stakeholders experiencing the change

Question 21

Impact value

Answer 21

The relative worth or importance of the impact

Question 22

Social value

Answer 22

Quantification of the relative importance that people place on the changes they experience in their lives. Involves measuring not only the financial outcomes but capturing the social environmental and economic impact of an activity and placing a value on that impact from the perspective of those affected by it.

Question 23

Social return on investment

Answer 23

The monetary expression of the total impact value generated from a defined activity relative to the value of the inputs required for the activity

Question 24

Inputs or dependencies

Answer 24

The financial and non-financial resources required to deliver the activities. Inputs may be owned by the organisation or by those it is dependent on.

Question 25

Materiality

Answer 25

An impact is material when it is relevant and significant for decisions to optimise well-being of a stakeholder group. Significance is based on the combination of a impact scale. B impact value C total impact value. Outcomes and therefore impacts are not significant can also be considered material if they are relevant to organisational objectives and/or relate to society norms

Question 26

Intrinsic Outcomes

Answer 26

These refer to outcomes that have value in themselves. For example, improving someone’s health or well-being, increasing their happiness, or enhancing their sense of dignity. These outcomes are valued for their inherent benefits to individuals or communities, rather than for any further benefits they might lead to.

Question 27

Functional Outcomes:

Answer 27

These outcomes are valuable because they lead to other benefits or outcomes. They are instrumental in achieving further ends. For instance, providing education or job training might be seen as a functional outcome because these interventions lead to improved employment opportunities, which then lead to better economic stability and higher quality of life.