ID21 Insights Site map From outcomes to impacts. In recent years, the meaning of the term development has shifted beyond limited sectors like food security or healthcare to embrace a wider arena of social development . Such practices as capacity building, organisational development, empowerment and participation now form part of that bigger picture. Procedures for monitoring and evaluating development projects have not kept pace with this shift. Outcome refers to an immediate effect a problem-solving activity may have.
Impact implies long-term and sustainable change leveraged by a development intervention.
Impact can be negative as well as positive, and can have different aspects not least gender impact, environmental impact and impact on poverty levels. Examples of best practice suggest, on the other hand, that a successful impact assessment process tends to be part of the project cycle from the start. Participatory impact assessment can even become part of the process of social development in itself, by involving local people and including often marginalised groups such as women. They include setting clear long-term project goals, striking a balance between material progress and social or institutional development, and maintaining good communications with local contacts. Finally, it is recommended that a new system of evaluation for impact assessment be developed, to run parallel to orthodox monitoring and evaluation processes.