open · Strategy · 60 min · 3-20 people · low energy

Align on Your Impact Goals

This method helps teams clarify and align on the desired impact of a project, both in the short-term and long-term. By visualizing the relationship between immediate outcomes and lasting social change, teams can ensure they are working towards a shared vision of success.

When to use Align on Your Impact Goals

Use this method at the beginning of a project to establish a clear understanding of the project's goals and how they contribute to a larger vision. It's especially useful when working with diverse stakeholders who may have different expectations.

What it solves

Misaligned expectations among team members and stakeholders regarding project goals and impact.

How to run Align on Your Impact Goals, step by step

  1. Gather the design team and key stakeholders. (5 minutes)
  2. Ask each participant to individually write down their hopes for the project's impact on sticky notes. (10 minutes)
  3. As a group, organize the sticky notes on a vertical 'Impact Ladder,' with long-term, significant changes at the top and immediate, achievable changes at the bottom. (20 minutes)
  4. Using the Impact Ladder worksheet, collaboratively define and document two statements: the long-term Impact and the near-term Key Outcome. (20 minutes)
  5. Ensure all stakeholders are aligned on these goals. (5 minutes)

Materials needed

  • Pens
  • Paper
  • Post-it notes
  • Impact Ladder worksheet (digital or print)

Facilitator tips

  • Encourage participants to think broadly about the potential impact of the project.
  • Help the group identify the core assumptions underlying the impact ladder.

Common pitfalls

  • Focusing too much on outputs rather than outcomes.
  • Failing to involve key stakeholders in the process.

Variations

  • Use different colored sticky notes to represent different types of impact (e.g., social, economic, environmental).
  • Conduct a dot voting exercise to prioritize the most important impact goals.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a virtual whiteboard like Miro or Mural to create the impact ladder collaboratively. Participants can add virtual sticky notes.

What it produces

An Impact Ladder worksheet defining the long-term Impact and near-term Key Outcome of the project.

Origin

Adapted from IDEO's Design Kit — source

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