Measuring success

We measure performance through our direct impact on the people, businesses and organisations we work with, as well as our wider impact on whole sectors. For instance in the last year, 2007–08, our evaluation recorded 500 jobs created or safeguarded through Designing Demand. In a more general sense, our business survey registered that 31 per cent of businesses invested more in design over a three year period. During the period of this plan we aim to measure quantitative and qualitative outcomes for each objective,
as listed below.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are developed annually, at an operational and programme level, to specify in more detail what we will achieve each year and how it will be measured. The KPIs are monitored on a monthly basis by the Executive Board and quarterly by Council and our government sponsors.

Some outcomes depend on funding and delivery by partners, and so may be subject to change. Risks around external dependencies have been identified, and appropriate mitigations and actions put in place, monitored in the organisation’s risk register.

Business and public service innovation

• Target 1: Extend Designing Demand to benefit business across the UK.
• Target 2: Develop a specialised version of the Designing Demand Innovate service for universities to enable technology transfer.
• Target 3: Develop a transformational programme to support public service innovation.

Outcome measures for 2011

Improved performance among companies and organisations engaged in Designing Demand and our public services programme.

• The number of companies and managers participating.

Jobs and turnover created or safeguarded for SMEs participating in Designing Demand (actual and forecast).

• The number and usage of case studies generated through the programmes with clear evidence of how design has helped in the private and public sector.

Public and community engagement

• Target 4: Ensure that Designs of the time (Dott) has local and national impact and legacy.

Outcome measures for 2011

Enhanced local services for the communities we work with.

• Solutions and ideas identified through the Dott Public Design Commissions continue to be developed and realised.
• The number of people engaged through Dott and the increase in understanding of good design.
• The number and usage of case studies generated through Dott with clear evidence of how design has helped find solutions to local problems.

Design skills development

• Target 5: Launch a national Design Skills Alliance in collaboration with Creative & Cultural Skills and the design sector.

Outcome measures for 2011

Improved design skills for business, designers, higher education students and school children.

• Numbers of people and organisations engaged through Design Skills Alliance programmes.
• The level of design skills among those supported on programmes, focusing on the priorities identified in the UK Design Skills Blueprint such as sustainability and leadership.

Design policy and promotion

• Target 6: Deliver an annual review of existing and new design policy.
• Target 7: Raise awareness of sustainable good design through a public promotional programme.
• Target 8: Expand our research and knowledge programme, including a national research forum.
• Target 9: Support the design industry and promote design awareness by launching an annual series of international conferences and seminars.

Outcome measures for 2011

Increased awareness of the value of good design and its link with sustainability, and social and economic success.

• Perceptions of design as important to business, public services and sustainability (in quantitative and qualitative audience research).
• The number of opinion formers in government, business, design and education personally briefed on design and engaged through other channels.
• The overall number of visitors and frequency of access to our content online, including our design research and case studies.
• Activity by others at a national or local policy level generated or inspired by our work.

Organisation and operation

• Target 10: Build our reputation across design, business, government and education at home and abroad.
• Target 11: Operate as an efficient, effective and environmentally responsible public body providing good value for money to the tax payer and a positive working environment for our team.
• Target 12: Multiply our grant-in-aid support from DIUS through an entrepreneurial approach that attracts additional public and private funds.

Outcome measures for 2011

Increased influence on our audiences.

• The awareness and perceived value of our programmes (in quantitative and qualitative audience research).
• Perception by audiences as leading, influential, innovative and effective organisation that is good to work with (in quantitative and qualitative research).
• The number of partners and the level of funds committed by partners to our programmes and initiatives.