Learning About Metrics
- Andrew Estep, CAE
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
Talking and writing about key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics is a lot easier than creating them. In the world of nonprofit and association management, it can be a real struggle to figure out KPIs that match what we do, since our work often emphasizes quality rather than raw numbers. Our favorite adjectives are improve, enhance, and expand—words that don’t lend themselves to hard numbers. But diving into the detail of a project or program to measure those changes can feel tedious. It may be tedious, but it is essential.
From broad organizational strategy to committee work, the following online training sessions explain how to identify, design, and implement effective metrics.
This session from the Washington Society for Association Excellence (WSAE) looks at KPIs as a building block in creating a viable value proposition for membership organizations. By focusing on the business end of our nonprofit work, the presenter makes a strong argument for taking an entrepreneurial approach.
Organizational assessments provide a complete set of metrics that any nonprofit can use to measure how effective their programs and services are. In this class from the Nonprofit Association of Washington, attendees learn all about measuring effectiveness using an assessment tool. Any organization can use this as a starting point for creating custom KPIs for their work.
This seminar from WSAE acts as a case study for metrics, showing how they can be used to effectively change an organization. The presenter offers metrics as one of several tools that can be used to supercharge the work of volunteer committees.
Key performance indicators and other metrics can be powerful tools for maintaining and changing any business, including nonprofit organizations. Next week, we will look at a book that traces how these tools developed and how they have shaped our world.
