Giving Compass' Take:

• This infographic from OPRE and MDRC identifies the types of data that funders and organizations can use to learn about and improve programs. 

• Are you already collecting and using some of this data to inform your work? How can you collect more of this data?

• Learn about four ways to improve data culture


One approach to program improvement is to use data to help you learn about your program, identify areas for improvement, and set goals. Potential sources of data include your management information system, observations of your program, and reactions from staff members. Data can help to answer questions about whom you are serving, what the content of each service is, and how many services clients receive. What you learn may help you identify an improvement strategy to apply to your program. Then you can monitor changes and continue reviewing data to learn about how the strategy is working.