Dr Thomas Keenan (Tractuum founder and early adopter of Impact Pathway concepts) pioneered and developed a unique framework that has been used with great results by many diverse organisations.
The Tractuum Optimal IMPACT Framework is highly adaptable and has broad application across all industries and sectors. Tractuum use this framework as a basis for assisting organisations to achieve a consistent, company-wide approach to strategic planning and the ongoing management of their IMPACT.
Through his work with CSIRO, Dr Keenan achieved significant success with this approach to IMPACT management. Firstly this system allowed CSIRO to effectively monitor and manage its IMPACTS. Secondly this system meant that CSIRO was able to articulate the IMPACTS of its science and technology work in a defensible and robust manner to the Australian government, the Australian people, and other key stakeholders.
As CSIRO has demonstrated, this process promotes understanding and demonstration of the real-world value as it relates to IMPACT.
The diagram below demonstrates the basic premise of Dr Keenan’s proven Framework.
THE TRACTUUM OPTIMAL IMPACT FRAMEWORK
The Tractuum Optimal IMPACT Framework is a finely tuned ensemble of moving parts that all work together in perfect harmony towards a unified end result. No two businesses are the same and so the Tractuum Framework is designed to take into account all of the variables across the different industries. Regardless of the complexity of the organisation, the basic process for establishing sound approaches around IMPACT management are quite simple. There are 6 key steps as you can see in the diagram below.
6 COMPONENTS OF THE TRACTUUM FRAMEWORK
WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
The first step in the process is to assess the organisation in relation to its ability to deliver IMPACT. Tractuum has a thorough set of processes that allow us to quickly identify where you are at in relation to your IMPACT delivery maturity. As part of this assessment, we communicate with all relevant parties, review your purpose, assess your activities, and locate any problems.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
Knowing where you are is only half of the puzzle. Equally important is knowing where you are going. Tractuum will help you to work out EXACTLY what your purpose is.
WHAT TO KEEP, WHAT TO DELETE
Once you know where you are going, it is important to do an internal strategic audit. This process is about ensuring that all existing strategies within your organisation align with its overall purpose. Once there is strategic consistency, the next step is to drill down and start to set specific goals and objectives.
THE WAY FORWARD
Once an organisation understands where it is (and has clearly defined where it is going), it is time to develop the plan to get there. This is what we call ‘The How of Why’. This detailed strategic plan encompasses a set of IMPACT Pathways which act as a blueprint for the delivery of all desired IMPACTS. The resulting map is called an IMPACT Pathway Canvas and it not only outlines what needs to be done but it shows the intended effects of all actions. All requirements are documented and are the result of a detailed process that encompasses the organisation itself, its collaborators, clients, end users, and other key stakeholders. This mechanism allows for the optimal uptake and adoption of organisational deliverables, and ultimately the successful achievement of all key IMPACTS.
PROGRESS
To maximise an organisation’s chances of success, Tractuum has developed a customised monitoring and evaluation approach for the IMPACT Pathways. Implementation of this approach ensures that priorities are adhered to, actions are undertaken, and IMPACT related objectives are on track.
REPORTING
The monitoring and evaluation approach includes a detailed plan that outlines requirements for reporting. This covers all progress toward the attainment of the organisation’s desired IMPACTS to key stakeholders. It also provides suggestions for the ultimate evaluation of the IMPACTS achieved.
Purpose
- Why do we exist?
- What is the point of our organisation or project?
- Are we driven to facilitate change or primarily focused on profit?
- What are our strategic goals and how do they link to our purpose?
Value
- What value do we want to create through our IMPACT Pathway?
- What difference are we making?
- Who benefits?
- What are the steps on the pathway?
- Who do we need to engage with at each stage to create value?
Example impact pathway
1 RESOURCES
People, budget, equipment and know-how
2 Translation
Producing deliverables and driving uptake or use
3 Deliverables
Products and services
4 Change driven
Changes driven by deliverables leading to impact
5 IMPACT
Ultimate benefit linked to purpose
Attribution
- How do we show that we’re creating benefit?
- How do we show that we’re making a significant contribution to that benefit?
- What are our critical paths to impact and linked performance (impact indicators)?
- What are our critical paths to impact evaluation and communication of impact?
HOW DO YOU DEVELOP AN IMPACT PATHWAY?
The development of an IMPACT Pathway can seem like a daunting task. At Tractuum we can work with you to navigate the process from start to finish. Our tools and methodologies allow us to extract, sort and integrate all relevant content from your existing systems and information sources.
Where there are gaps we are able to help you create new material. Where there are incongruities we can show you how to resolve them.
While helping you to develop your own IMPACT Pathway we will also identify any opportunities to improve your value to the real world.
Tractuum’s Optimal IMPACT Framework enables organisations to:
- clearly identify their purpose
- create formidable strategic action plans
- do the work
- track and document their progress
- report on that progress
- make a difference and deliver value!