Step by step guide

Step 1: Define SMART Objectives against the OA outcomes your use case supports

Create Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound (SMART) objectives for your use case that support the three OA strategic outcomes of being an independent initiative, becoming integral national data infrastructure, and reducing inequalities in the sport and physical activity sector. This step should be completed during 'Understand and plan’.

Step 2: Define measurable KPIs for each objective

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be used to measure whether the objectives you set have been achieved or are on track. Some examples could include:

• increased levels of activity within disproportionately affected demographics

• commitment to inclusive governance

• new metrics demonstrating ambition to reach under-represented groups

• increase opening up access to opportunities data

• participatory case studies

• increased level of engagement with a diverse range of groups across sectors

This step should be completed during 'Understand and plan’.

Step 3: Measure use case delivery

By measurement, we mean that the KPIs will be assessed continually over the life-cycle of a pilot, with pre-agreed milestones. Monitoring is the systematic measurement of the use case pilot's progress. It often entails the use of KPIs and other measurement activities. The information collected here will generate a useful evidence base to be reviewed regularly, to demonstrate each use case’s contribution to OA's outcomes. This step should be completed during ‘Develop’. One suggested way to monitor performance is to use a ‘RAG’ rating (red, amber, green).

Percentage	RAG monitoring	Meaning
0-40%	Blocked or not relevant	We failed to make progress and/or the KPIs are not relevant to us any more.
40-70%	In progress	We made progress, but fell short of completion.
70-100%	Accomplished	We delivered.

Step 4: Share learning

The key to learning is the application of insights to improve use case work. Learning involves making improvements, either during the use case rollout or for the next time you do similar work. Tools to support learning and reflection include summary reports of KPIs, process evaluations and case studies. This step should be completed during ‘Learn and publish’.

The intention is to collate the shared learning from use case communities to build an evidence base demonstrating the impact of OA. This will help to improve and grow the initiative. With these efforts, we hope to increase the levels of activity within disproportionately affected demographics, including:

• children and young people

• older people

• women and girls

• people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds

• disabled people

• ethnically diverse communities

Further reading

• Improving impact: Our approach to monitoring, evaluation and learning
• Sport England Evaluation Framework