WORKING WITH IIP
IIP works with nonprofits, foundations, healthcare and educational institutions, professional associations, and other mission-driven organizations on questions that require rigorous research, evaluation, analysis, and learning.
Some projects begin with a clearly defined research or evaluation need. Others begin with a problem that needs to be better understood, or questions that need to be reconsidered.
Bring a question worth investigating.
SOUND FAMILIAR?
UNDERSTANDING NEEDS
“What does this community actually need?”
EXPLAINING OUTCOMES
“Why do outcomes differ?”
EVALUATING PROGRAMS
“Is this program doing what we think it’s doing?”
USING EXISTING EVIDENCE
“What else can our data tell us?”
BUILDING FROM EVIDENCE
“What should guide what we build?”
INTERROGATING THE QUESTION
“We think we know what the problem is. Do we?”
These examples illustrate the work, rather than define its limits. Projects may span several challenges, curiosities, and priorities, or extend beyond them.
AREAS OF WORK
IIP’s work is shaped by what is known, what needs to be investigated, and how the resulting evidence will be used. Engagements may therefore span research, evaluation, and learning, rather than fitting within a single category.
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Examine the question — in depth and breadth.
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Examine what is happening and what it means.
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Develop research-informed and evidence-based programs and learning experiences.
ENGAGEMENT MODELS
Engagements vary with the nature and context of the work, from focused projects with a defined scope to longer-term or advisory work that develops over time. The format is similarly flexible — engagements may be remote, in person, or combine both.
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A defined question or problem with a specific scope and deliverable.
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Work that develops across multiple questions, stages, or phases.
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Rigorous thinking brought to an evolving question or body of work.
SOME PROJECTS START WITH A SCOPE. OTHERS START WITH A QUESTION.
You may already know that you need an evaluation strategy, in-depth research, or a program review. Or you may be trying to understand a problem, an unexpected outcome, or something happening across a team or organization that is not yet well defined.
Either can be the starting point for working together.