This article introduces the development of an impact measurement and management tool for promoting regional social challenge-solving projects. This article reports on the Impact Measurement and Management Tool (13.7MB) developed by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency as part of the "Ecosystem Construction Demonstration Project for Supporting Regional Social Challenge-Solving Companies" for FY2024, providing practical guidelines for organizations working on regional challenge-solving projects to effectively measure and manage their social impact.
This tool was developed based on results from regional demonstration projects implemented in 20 regions nationwide, aiming to enable regional challenge-solving project operators including local zebra companies to systematically understand the impact their activities have on regional society and connect to continuous improvement. Zebra companies are business models that emphasize balance between sustainability and profitability while working on social challenge solving, differing from unicorn companies that pursue rapid growth.
The importance of impact measurement and management lies in visualizing the effects of social challenge-solving projects and fulfilling accountability to stakeholders. Traditionally, social project results often remained at qualitative evaluations, making objective effect measurement difficult. This tool enables more comprehensive impact evaluation by combining quantitative indicators with qualitative assessment.
Tool components include basic concepts of impact measurement, indicator setting methods, data collection techniques, analysis and evaluation processes, improvement plan formulation, and stakeholder communication methods. Particularly, customizable indicator systems according to regional characteristics and business fields are provided, allowing each organization to build measurement systems suitable for their situations.
Practical utilization methods show usage at each stage of the PDCA cycle: impact goal setting at project planning stage, monitoring during project implementation, effect verification after project completion, and reflection of improvement points for next projects. Specific guidance is also provided for effective reporting methods to diverse stakeholders including investors, support organizations, regional residents, and administrative organizations.
This tool's characteristics include not only theoretical frameworks but also application examples from actual regional demonstration projects, challenges, and improvement points. Knowledge gained from diverse initiatives in 20 regions is reflected, designed as a highly practical tool. The article concludes that widespread adoption of this tool is expected to promote qualitative improvement of regional challenge-solving projects and sustainable regional development.