The Success Measures Data System

The Success Measures Data System (SMDS) is our web-based tool that is key to helping organizations manage their participatory evaluation process. SMDS does this by providing a platform for users to capture a clear picture of benefits achieved, select indicators, customize data collection tools, collect and tabulate results, and generate reports.

SMDS makes outcome evaluation understandable and outcome data usable. The easy to use data-collection system allows organizations that subscribe to create and measure short-term milestones that support long-term goals.

Using SMDS, subscribers can work online without having to install additional software (See Subscription Information). They can design, implement, tabulate and store evaluations and data; export data to Excel for more detailed analysis; and share data with funders and other stakeholders. SMDS is sophisticated in scale and security, managing the technology, maintenance and back-ups 24/7.

Outcome Indicators
SMDS is currently comprised of 50 well-vetted outcome indicators that measure the impacts of housing, economic development and community building programs at the individual, organizational and community level.

SMDS also contains more than 115 data collection tools for these indicators. The tools (in English and Spanish) include surveys, focus group questions, formats for analyzing public records, and observation checklists. What makes SMDS special is that these don’t need to be created from scratch, and can be used in standard format or customized.

See Summary of SMDS Indicators [PDF]

See Full Description of SMDS Indicators [PDF]

New Indicators Under Development

• Measuring outcomes of asset programs
  New tools to measure the short, mid and long term benefits of a range of activities along an asset continuum that includes asset preparation, financial education, asset building, foreclosure mitigation and asset preservation. Tools will be field tested in early 2009 and available for use by Fall 2009.
  
  
• Measuring the value of intermediary services
  Tools to measure the value of training, technical assistance, financing and advocacy services provided by a variety of intermediary organizations. The new tools will be field tested in early 2009 and available for use by Fall 2009.
  
• Community stabilization
  These tools will supplement 15 existing SMDS indicators that target community stabilization efforts, by including new indicators that focus on outcomes related to foreclosed, real estate-owned and vacant and abandoned properties. The tools will be tested and available for use by mid-2009.  
  
• Affordable Green Building/Sustainable Communities:  Examination of gaps in measuring outcomes of an array of green building activities is currently underway.
  
  

SMDS Subscription Information
In order to purchase a subscription to the Success Measures Data System, client organizations secure technical assistance from either the national program at NeighborWorks America or a locally based Success Measures Certified Consultants.  Webex demonstrations of the Success Measures Data System can be easily arranged, for free, upon request. Basic pricing for our current training and technical assistance service packages are noted below. We welcome the opportunity to design customized, fee-for-service packages for funders, intermediaries, financial institutions, public agencies and other organizations interested in supporting the use of the Success Measures evaluation method and SMDS for affiliates or grantees.

SMDS SUBSCRIPTION RATES

One Year Basic Subscription: $2,500/year

Provides individual community development organizations with: SMDS access for an unlimited number of users at an organization; Ability to create, manage and store an unlimited number of evaluations at any time; Ability to share data on an evaluation-by-evaluation basis with any SMDS user; Ability to customize any data collection tool selected; Access to the SMDS technical support desk by phone and e-mail.

Enhanced Subscription: From $5,000/year

Includes all features of the Basic subscription, plus: Ability to aggregate data from multiple programs, sites or affiliates; Ability to create a limited number of new indicators and data collection tools; Ability to share new indicator sets with other SMDS users.