Shared measurement is a collaborative measurement process conducted among a number of organizations engaged in a defined social area and working to achieve similar or shared goals. Shared measurement includes the joint definition of common goals and measures, an agreed measurement process and data analysis method , the sharing of measurement findings, and engagement in collaborative learning and drawing of conclusions.
There has been growing interest in Israel and abroad in promoting shared measurement, against the background of efforts to promote cooperation in the social sphere, including the promotion of inter-sectorial initiatives for collective impact.
The Unit for System-wide Impact & Measurement is continuing to work toward developing and disseminating knowledge on shared measurement. To this end, the unit is cooperating with 360° The National Program for Children and Youth at Risk, currently being implemented in over 180 local authorities with the aim of changing the way that Israeli society is dealing with at-risk children and youth. A significant component of the Program is the establishment of a broad and unique system for shared measurement of the situation of at-risk children and youth. This system was developed with the help of the Engelberg Center for Children and Youth in MJB. It currently stores data on over 100,000 children and youth who are receiving or have received some 1,600 responses from the Program.
As part of the cooperation between the National Program and the Unit, seminars on shared measurement were recently held for the Program’s local directors as well as for members of the national committees and working groups. Yehonatan Almog, director of the Unit, presented the theory and lessons learned from the international experience on shared measurement to the participants. These were developed in a literature review and conceptual development published by the Unit at the initiative of the Rothschild Caesarea Foundation. Talal Dolev, director of the National Program, presented findings from the Program’s shared measurement system. The discussion addressed possible uses, opportunities and challenges in light of the theory and worldwide experience.
Talal Dolev said: “Shared measurement is one of the Program’s main tools and serves as a basis for working together and establishing shared policies. It is made possible thanks to the five partner ministries, who are committed to using the information with transparency and accountability. The conceptual framework that was developed for shared measurement allows us to to call things by name, to methodically analyze our work, and to learn from the international experience and to contribute to it based on a common language”.
