The Balanced Value Impact Model (BVI Model) draws evidence from a wide range of sources to provide a compelling account of the means of measuring the impact of digital resources and using evidence to advocate how change benefits people. The aim is to provide key information and a strong model for the following primary communities of use: the cultural, heritage, academic or creative industries.
For the purposes of this report, the definition of Impact is:
The measurable outcomes arising from the existence of a digital resource that demonstrate a change in the life or life opportunities of the community for which the resource is intended.
The outcome of this cross disciplinary research is a new and targeted model of Impact Assessment for the primary communities of use identified above. The Balanced Value Impact Model brings together aspects from disparate Impact Assessment communities into a cohesive and logical process for Impact Assessment.
The Balanced Value Impact Model is intended to aid the thinking and decision making of those wishing to engage in Impact Assessment. It also acts as a guide through the process of Impact Assessment to enable the core values most appropriate to the assessment to be brought to the fore and given a balanced consideration when evaluating outcomes. It presumes that the assessment will be measuring change within an ecosystem for a digital resource.
This document draws evidence from a wide range of sources and seeks to provide a compelling account of the means of measuring the impact of digital resources and using evidence to advocate how change benefits people. The aim is to provide key information and a strong model for the following primary communities of use:
This document synthesizes information from the whole Impact Assessment sector and then proposes the Balanced Value Impact Model as a means to effectively carry out an Impact Assessment relating to the benefits of digitization and digital resources in general. It seeks to help the communities identified above to provide a compelling argument for future work. Thus, you will find in this document information on:
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If you want to jump straight to implementing Impact Assessment then go to Chapter 6: The Balanced Value Impact Model. Note that you may need to refer back to Chapter 5 for some context to explain the Model. Appendix D is an indicative guide to relevant methods and techniques that could be used.
Chapters 1 to 5 provide context, an overview of Impact Assessment, explain why impact matters and how to engage with this complex subject area. These sections seek to enhance our understanding of impact, why the Balanced Value Impact Model is required and how it can support sustainable digital resources. The Bibliography provides an extensive set of references to the state of the art in Impact Assessment.
Tanner, S. (2012) Measuring the Impact of Digital Resources: The Balanced Value Impact Model. King’s College London, October 2012. Available at: www.kdcs.kcl.ac.uk/innovation/impact.html
© Simon Tanner, King’s College London 2012. King’s College London permits reuse of this publication and its contents under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share-Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales Licence.
This report is an output from an Arcadia funded research project. I gratefully acknowledge the support and vision of the Arcadia Fund and all the people there who helped this activity at every stage. Full details of Arcadia's grants are available at the website here.