Module A: Overview
What does OBPE look like?
Using OBPE, you develop a logic model (a planning and evaluation tool) that helps
- Identify specific individuals or groups with a need you can define concretely and which falls within your institutional mission
- Decide on clear program outcomes (benefits) to meet that need
- Develop program activities to provide services for your audience to bring about the desired results
- Establish ways to measure whether those results/outcomes have been achieved
Why museum and library professionals use OBPE in their work
OBPE has benefits not only for the public but inside the institution as well.
What are professionals saying about OBPE?
“Believe it or not, OBPE has helped with some of the politics of program cuts. When ‘pet programs’ are challenged, we can look objectively at what is actually making a difference.” -Public Programs Director
“We’ve been collecting tons of data on our programs for years, but none of it really told us if we were making a difference in our patrons’ lives. Outcomes evaluation gives us a way to know that.”- Librarian in Charge of Evaluation
“Even if we never implemented the plan, developing a logic model has helped our staff articulate the purpose of our programs more clearly- it has even generated healthy discussion of some key issues!”-Exhibit Team Member
“Even if our funders didn’t want to know outcomes, our staff has come to think of this museum as audience-centered. OBPE shows them the real human impact of their work.”-Museum Director
“Funding streams are drying up and yet our community needs keep growing – we have to know what’s working and what isn’t so we can invest in success.”- Library Director
“This way of documenting our impact in the community has been a powerful tool in writing grants- we don’t just say we’ re making a difference- we show them the data!”-Grant Writer
“Sure, I was reluctant at first- more paperwork I don’t need- but it has been a useful planning tool and really pays off when it comes time to write reports.”- School Services Coordinator
Dig Deeper
United Way of America has been promoting program outcome measurement for more than a decade. A survey of agency experiences with outcome measurement shows the following.
Agency executives agree or strongly agree – outcome measurement helps their
program:
- Focus staff on shared goals (88%)
- Communicate results to stakeholders (88%)
- Clarify program purpose (86%)
- Identify effective practices (84%)
- Compete for resources (83%)
- Enhance record keeping (80%)
- Improve service delivery (76%)
Source: Agency Experiences with Outcome Measurement: Survey Findings. United Way of America, 2000. Used by permission.