Aligning Data Practices for Continuous Improvement

Family Tree Case Study

For several years, Family Tree was struggling with its cross-program experience for clients, and cumbersome data practices resulting from independent development of programs and data needs. Multiple teams were operating programs independently and using various systems to collect different information, with little communication across programs to share that data and understand program quality and impact.

 

Complicating this picture was the fact that much of the data captured was difficult to access, further limiting cross-program understanding and the ability to tell the overarching story of impact for the organization. As a non-profit human services agency known for providing innovative, life-changing services designed to end child abuse, domestic violence, and homelessness, Family Tree was ready to further align its programming and increase its internal capacity for data-informed decision-making. Ultimately, the organization wanted to engage in data practices that would serve their needs, the needs of their clients, and more fully demonstrate the impact of their holistic, integrated services.

The Challenge

Siloed and fragmented data practices were resulting in the inability to tell the story of the organization’s overarching impact.

The Solution

Impact Accelerator: A multi-faceted approach to streamline and strengthen data practices and staff capacity to engage with data.

The Results

Aligned language, goals and practices across the organization resulting in integrated and streamlined continuous improvement processes.

Impact Accelerator Process

The three core steps we took to streamline and strengthen data practices and staff capacity to engage with data included:

 

1. Align

ResultsLab led the Family Tree team to develop an organization-wide Impact Strategy, threading services and outcomes from 10 programs into one shared vision. This was important to help team members find alignment across the organization, understand intended outcomes for their clients holistically, and eventually drive what should be measured.

2. Capture

Built robust continuous improvement plans. These plans provide an aligned roadmap to illustrate intended program impacts, what is measured, how it is measured, where the data lives, and how it’s used. Tools developed to assist Family Tree in their ongoing data-use practice included an organization-wide and program-specific measurement plan, measurement tools, and data dashboards to guide continuous improvement.

3. Transform

To ensure the adoption of the new approach, ResultsLab rolled out organizational trainings on the new continuous improvement plan and worked with Family Tree on how to deliver these practices in a trauma-informed, client-centered manner.

“I really appreciate the partnership, and the intentional efforts to communicate with our full team in the manner that would best speak to our front-line staff. For example, the emphasis on integration, the immediate adjustments to all-staff meetings to be less academic, etc.” – Family Tree Staff Member 

“The team was so responsive to changing how they worked with us. I was also very impressed with how well they learned the important work of Family Tree and were able to incorporate concepts and themes across all programs.” – Family Tree Staff Member 

Results: 

A streamlined continuous improvement process that enables the team to:

  • Reflect and improve upon their programs and processes to better support clients
  • Demonstrate the overarching story of impact for Family Tree

“Family Tree is a complicated organization, and this was a challenging project, but ResultsLab was unphased. They developed an intentional and thoughtful approach, and partnered closely with us to ensure success.
– Scott Shields, Former CEO at Family Tree