Impact management and measurement is a topical and complex theme that in the last years has become a mantra for those willing to create a positive change at a societal and environmental level. Since claims about making a difference are no longer enough, and evidences are required concerning the change that has been created, impact management and measurement is no longer regarded as an accountability and compliance tool but it’s becoming part of the strategy of organizations, financers and policy makers. These elements increase the urgency for a variety of actors (e.g. managers of social enterprises, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations; lenders; investors; policy makers) to manage, quantify, and communicate the generated value. 

Within this context, Tiresia developed a research line that support the reflections about the definition of impact; the evolution of the management and measurement practices; the evaluation of the emerging issues in impact management and measurement; the critical analysis of management and measurement approaches, standards and tools; the identification of the technology role in impact management and measurement. 

Tiresia defines impact as the change in a social, environmental or economic outcome caused by an organization/policy and it is characterized by three key features: intentionality, measurability and additionality.

Tiresia considers as the best approaches to manage and measure impact the ones in which outputs, outcomes and impact are all linked by an ex-ante defined Theory of Change. Theory of Change is the logic model that support organizations in identifying what environmental and social impact can be generated and achieved by their specific activities.