Outcomes are the measurable results of the implemented objectives. To get at measurable outcomes, ask how many and what percentage of participants do you expect to achieve each objective?

Outcomes will result from short-term, intermediate and long-term objectives. Confirming short-term objectives is easiest. Sometimes, it is difficult (or impossible) to confirm long-term (and even intermediate) outcomes. Confirming long-term outcomes typically requires additional time and financial resources.

In measuring outcomes, describe what you want your constituents to know, to do and/or to think in measurable terms. Something is measurable when it can be observed or known through the five senses. Be careful to distinguish between Intangible outcomes and Specific outcomes.

For example, if your evaluating an arts education program designed to teach children certain techniques to create art, and you plan to measure the outcomes by having teachers ask the students to tell them about the work they’ve created. The ability to incorporate the actual artistic concepts into their freelance artwork is an intangible outcome. But, if a student refers to a concept he/she learned during the dialogue with the teacher, we can assume the student is incorporating the lessons, which is a specific outcome.

Outcomes must be defined in measurable terms. They do not have to be earth-shattering or dramatic. Often the outcomes a funded project facilitates are incremental and subtle. Trying to define rich and intangible experiences (the warm and fuzzies) into concrete, specific and observable terms can be a very frustrating process. Focus on one objective of a project which could have one or more outcomes to it.