Module Code: H9IOM
Long Title Information Systems and Outcomes Measurement
Title Information Systems and Outcomes Measurement
Module Level: LEVEL 9
EQF Level: 7
EHEA Level: Second Cycle
Credits: 5
Module Coordinator: CORINA SHEERIN
Module Author: Faye McGinley
Departments: School of Business
Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff  
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Clarify, analyse and appraise the information needs of a non-profit organisation, understanding this need in relation to a broader service delivery information strategy, understanding non-profit technology strategies and how these operate together to provide integrated MIS systems.
LO2 Critically evaluate information rights and obligations, including legal data protection and data security compliance, in relation to MIS solutions.
LO3 Formulate and evaluate a map of a service information requirements covering all key work processes, information management and reporting needs to enable effective design of a management information system and be able to discriminate appraise cloud based systems against this map.
LO4 Develop skills to be able to develop an impact map and establish clarity on outcome indicators using logic models or theory of change
LO5 Analyse a non profit organisation’s strengths and weaknesses in relation to outcome and impact measurement and analyse antecedents for these and identify responses to these challenges.
LO6 Appraise appropriate outcome indicator tools and assess and defend the appropriateness of validated and bespoke research tools
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).

No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Entry requirements  
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Management Information Systems
• Introduction to Information Management and Management Information • Successful commercial [SME] and state use of information management systems – strategic technology • Digital divide and why charities find them on the wrong side. • Digital inclusion, eInclusion, EU and Irish state strategy to bridge the digital divide • Alignment of best practice in service delivery with strategic technology
User centric versus constituent centric information
• Client and Case Management system requirements • Information Management prior to computerisation - Information categorisation and filing systems • Spot technology solutions to particular information management needs • Single shared information system - a model • Management information solution [MIS] build on information management system • ·Service delivery chains and the sharing and reporting across services and up the chain
Strategic Technology projects – planning and delivery
• Charity technology strategy – technology to support a single shared information system • Methodology – Requirements gathering – time-lining processes and documentation of requirements • Mapping requirements – align best practice in service delivery with strategic technology solutions • Charity technology options, technology donations and integration of technology solutions • Budgets and timelines
Model charity technology projects
Case Studies - eCASS – comprehensive addiction services solution · fundraising, volunteer management and communication – website integration · integrated CRM and financial accounting solutions · Dashboards and Reports – MIS
Project management for IM and outcome projects
• Overview of Kotter’s change management theory • Creating the vision and engaging stakeholders • Using data to support uptake of new practice • Overcoming common project management hurdles (i.e. low uptake of new practice, lack of staff engagement, low value on new practices, issues in relation to competency, lack of access to hardware)
Data protection
• Understanding your role as a data controller • IM technology • What is sensitive data? • The difference between anonymous and • Consent • Data management and use
Impact Measurement
• Why is social impact measurement needed • Recent changes to the sector, i.e. commissioning, social bonds and the role on impact measurement • Evaluating organisations approach to outcome measurement • Developing an outcomes framework - what is involved • The difference between data on satisfaction and data on outcomes
Using the Logic Model in Social Impact Measurement
• Terminology – inputs, outputs, outcomes, impact, indicators • Pros and cons of this method • Faciltative techniques / process for supporting engagement of the team • Avoiding common pitfalls (not using appropriate language, confusing process data and outcomes • Applied examples
Theory of Change and how it can be applied to non profit measurement
• Terminology – assumptions, goals . needs statesments • Pros and cons of this method • Faciltative techniques / process • Avoiding common pitfalls (not critiquing assumptions, confusing outcomes and methods, skipping steps in the process) • Applied examples
Social Return on Investment
• Terminology – impact, deadweight, attribution, materiality, proxys • Pros and cons of this method • The seven principles and applying these • Avoiding common pitfalls (lack of validated data, overvaluing, not capturing attribution and deadweight, leaving out negative outcomes, ) • Applied examples
Selecting the most relevant tool for social impact measurement
• The four ways of measuring change (action, partipcnat view, observer view and test0 • Where to find validated tools • Understanding validation • How to evaluate tools • Developing bespoke tools • Pre and Post data collection – why this is needed • Undertaking data collection – focus groups, interviews and survey • Benchmarking
Communicating your impact
• How to enagage with stakeholders • Using findings to tell a story • Consistent improvement of outcome measurement
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: Assignment 1 % of total: 50
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,2,3
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
This project involves individual students developing a CRM plan for their organisation or around a case study from the non profit sector. Learners will apply knowledge from the course as well as external reading to develop this applied plan.
Assessment Type: Assignment 2 % of total: 50
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 4,5,6
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Learners will complete an individual project on developing a Social Impact Measurement for an organisation of their choice. An indicative outline of the project is as follows: 1. Explain what you perceive to be the difference between outputs, outcomes and impact measurement. 2. Analyse your organisations strengths and weaknesses in relation to outcome and impact measurement, considering among other things: planning, clarity of vision, consistency of approach, staff engagement, quality of the outcome information, the organisations ability to learn from and analyse information, the meaningfulness of outcomes from various stakeholder groups: clients, staff and funders, The organisations abili
No End of Module Assessment
No Workplace Assessment

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours
Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture No Description 30 Every Week 30.00
Independent Learning Time No Description 95 Every Week 95.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 30.00
 

Module Resources

This module does not have any book resources
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
Discussion Note: