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Impact Alignment Map helps anyone designing or delivering programs build, test and visualise clear pathways from activities to longer-term impact.
Impact Alignment Map helps anyone designing or delivering programs build, test and visualise clear pathways from activities to longer-term impact.
A good impact pathway shouldn't exist simply because a funding application or evaluation framework requires one. It should help your team make better decisions, maintain focus on intended outcomes and clearly explain how your work contributes to meaningful change.
The Impact Alignment Map is a free online tool (no hidden costs!) that guides you to work through the different levels of change - from the activities you deliver, through to short and medium-term to the longer-term impact your program hopes to contribute to.
Drawing on the principles of Theory of Change and program logic, the tool provides practical guidance throughout the process. As you build your map, consider whether the connections make sense, where assumptions may be hiding and whether your activities are genuinely aligned with the impacts you want to achieve.
The result is not simply a diagram. It is a clearer articulation of how and why you expect your program to contribute to change.
What a phenomenal resource!! Well done on developing such an innovative and incredibly valuable tool 👏
Tea O'Driscoll,
Co-design specialist at Future Connect
What can the Impact Alignment Map help you do?
Build your impact pathway
Start with what your program does and progressively map the changes you expect to see. The structured process helps turn complex program thinking into a clear pathway that others can understand.
Test your program logic
Explore whether there is a convincing connection between your activities and intended impacts. Identify gaps, weak links or assumptions that may need further consideration.
Strengthen program design
Use your map while designing a new program or reviewing an existing one. Seeing the entire pathway in one place can help teams identify activities that are not clearly contributing to intended impacts or impacts that are not adequately supported by planned activities.
Create a shared understanding
Build or review your map with colleagues to develop a shared understanding of what your program is trying to achieve and how you expect change to happen. You can also share your map with colleagues for feedback and discussion.
Communicate your impact clearly
Turn complex program logic into a visual that can be understood by funders, partners, decision-makers and other stakeholders.
Who is it for?
The Impact Alignment Map is designed for anyone involved in planning, delivering, evaluating or supporting programs.
It may be particularly useful for:
Program managers and practitioners developing or strengthening programs.
Not-for-profit and community organisations wanting a clearer way to articulate what their programs are trying to achieve.
Evaluation and impact teams working with program teams to develop theories of change or program logic.
Funders and grant recipients wanting greater clarity about how funded activities are expected to contribute to outcomes.
Teams and partnerships that need a shared understanding of their intended pathway to impact.
No specialist evaluation knowledge is required. The tool has been designed to make impact planning accessible to people who understand their programs but may not be experts in program logic development, Theory of Change or evaluation.
How can I use it once completed?
Once your program's Impact Alignment Map is complete, you can:
download it as a PDF for reports, funding applications and other documents
export it as an image for presentations, reports and communications
share it with colleagues for review, collaboration and feedback
return and refine it as your program develops and your understanding of its impact evolves.
Your impact pathway doesn't need to remain buried in a planning document. It can become a practical resource that your team continues to use.
How much does it cost?
There is no hidden costs, you can create and manage up to five projects completely free.
There is no need to start with a perfectly developed Theory of Change or program logic. Bring what you know about your program and let the tool guide you through the process.
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