Shared measures to achieve shared outcomes: lessons from Central Appalachia

Abstract

This paper introduces a wealth creation approach to development, and describes how the Central Appalachian Network has used an outcome-based measurement process to define and measure progress toward shared goals for seven forms of community wealth. The wealth creation approach to measurement leads to measures of outcome, not outputs, that have meaning within the context of the work of individual organizations and the network overall. Measurement applied consistently across a network of independent organizations seeking to build wealth creation value chains creates shared language and understanding, and improves capacity to target resources where they can have the greatest impact to create constructive change in their region and communities.

Keywords:

• rural economic development
• evaluation
• agriculture and community
• regional development

Notes

1. For detailed information on the wealth creation approach and the overall initiative on which this article is based, see Interim Reports 1 through 4 on Formulating a Sustainable Economic Development Process for Rural America (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) at http://www.yellowwood.org/wealthcreation.aspx.

2. Members of the CAN Steering Committee include: ACEnet, ASD, Center for Economic Options, Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, Natural Capital Investment Fund, and Rural Action.

3. WealthWorks recognizes eight forms of wealth; cultural capital is included in the wealth creation approach but not in the wealth matrix because its influence is measured through measures of the other seven forms of wealth.

4. In the first year, CAN considered six forms of wealth; political and cultural capitals were not used in its initial framework.

5. In “Collective Impact”, published in the Winter 2011 edition of the Stanford Social Innovation Review, John Kania and Mark Kramer describe five conditions of collective success: collective agenda, shared measurement systems, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and backbone support organizations.

6. For more information about the founding of the CPA, please see “CPA: A Rural Appalachia Case Story”, available at www.cannetwork.org/resources.htm.