# You don’t have to measure everything to start

> Many organisations never start, because measuring looks big and expensive. This is how we start small, with what is already there.

Source: https://narrate.works/resources-and-insights/you-dont-have-to-measure-everything
Language: English (Nederlands: https://narrate.works/tools-en-inzichten/je-hoeft-niet-alles-te-meten)
Publisher: Narrate (Narrate B.V.), https://narrate.works

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Guide

3 min read21 October 2026

Many organisations never start, because measuring looks big and expensive. This is how we start small, with what is already there.

For charities and non-profits, social enterprises and 2 moreImprovementLeadershipBelongs to

For

[Charities and non-profits](https://narrate.works/with/nonprofit-leaders), [Social enterprises](https://narrate.works/with/social-enterprises), [Community organisations](https://narrate.works/with/community-organisations), [Founders](https://narrate.works/with/founders)

Perspective

[Improvement](https://narrate.works/impact-management#improve), [Leadership](https://narrate.works/impact-management#steer)

Phase

[Strategy & scope](https://narrate.works/resources-and-insights?phase=strategyScope), [Intelligence design](https://narrate.works/resources-and-insights?phase=intelligenceDesign)

Keywords

[Indicator set](https://narrate.works/keywords#indicatoren), [Baseline study](https://narrate.works/keywords#nulmeting), [Monitoring plan](https://narrate.works/keywords#monitoringplan)

Organisations that don’t measure their impact yet often tell us the same thing. They want to, but it feels like a big project. There has to be a framework, a system and someone who knows about it. Because that isn’t there, it moves to next year.

This is how we usually start: with one question and the figures that are already there.

## Start with one question

Sit down with your team or your board and ask: what changes because of our work, and for whom? Write the answer down in two sentences. Those sentences decide what you want to know. Without that question you soon collect all sorts of things that say little.

## Look at what you already keep

Almost every organisation already keeps track of something. A charity has sign-ups and intakes, and sometimes a short evaluation after an activity. A social enterprise knows its revenue and customers, and gets feedback from customers. A community group has photos, a list of volunteers and stories from the neighbourhood. A startup founder has the usage figures of the product, and often a pitch with figures already.

Put that data next to your question and see what already says something about the change. For a first picture that is often enough.

## Choose a few indicators

An indicator is a figure or sign that shows whether the change is happening. Three to five is usually enough. We often see twenty figures go unfilled, while three to five get kept. You might choose the number of participants and something about what participants do differently. A short question after each activity also works well.

Then agree who keeps the figures, and put in the diary when you look at them together. Once a quarter works well. The question each time is: what do we see, and do we do anything differently?

If a funder, an investor or the council asks for results, you have something to show. You account for your grant with what is already there. Your board and team also see how the mission is going.

You don’t have to prove everything. You show what you contribute, and you say what you don’t know yet. You don’t need a new system either: a spreadsheet is a fine start.

Would you like us to take a look? That usually starts with the impact maturity scan, or with a half-day workshop for a small group of volunteers.

Photo: [Peter Hall](https://unsplash.com/@peterctid?utm_source=narrate&utm_medium=referral) via [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=narrate&utm_medium=referral)

## Need specific guidance?

Get in touch for personalised support with your impact management question.