Evaluation and Impact

We measure change to understand how prevention protects health, reduces risk, and strengthens the foundations of healthy communities.

Understanding and measuring change: Our framework

The Measuring Change Framework (MCF) is a systems-based way to evaluate the interconnected outcomes of prevention actions. It helps us understand and track how change happens across people, place and systems.

The MCF works by combining structure with flexibility to detect shifting outcomes, as results can emerge, ripple and strengthen in unexpected ways. By capturing meaningful insights, the MCF informs more responsive action, shows how combined efforts amplify, and positions the system to deliver tangible improvements.

MCF Components

Five big questions we explore:
  1. How we work together (strategic action)
  2. How we influence the system (systemic action)
  3. How we create change on the ground (direct action)
  4. How we adapt along the way (adaptive action)
  5. How progress towards goals is showing up

These questions direct inquiry and structure our storytelling.

3 primary school children sit on the ground eating their lunch from their lunchboxes

Insight theme

Emerging outcome

Potential pathway of impact

Influence
  • Mobilisation
  • Shared accountability
  • Policy integration
  • Mindset shift

Joined up efforts → movement in underlying drivers → system transformation

Solution delivery
  • Building the foundation
  • Solutions generated
  • Resource continuity
  • Workforce capacity

Turning ideas into action → navigating evolving contexts → strengthened practice and outcome delivery

Individual capability and readiness
  • Awareness
  • Knowledge
  • Confidence
  • Motivation
  • Intention to change

Building understanding → feeling equipped → readiness to act

Insight themes bring evidence from different actions together under the one area of change, with Emerging outcomes showing signals of progress.

Pathways of impact explain the logic of how these signals connect to the outcomes we expect.

Outcomes map

Expected end-point outcomes are mapped as ripples to inform measurement and show movement towards goals.

Rain drops on the swimming pool blue water surface that have ripple wave effect on liquid texture and top view angle.

Methods

Evaluation and learning
  • Governance groups and stakeholder collaboration
  • Community / Participant input
  • Reflection and learning workshops
  • Document review
  • Research methodologies
  • Use cases
Monitoring
  • Implementation tracking
  • Population-level outcomes (external data sources)

One framework. Multiple levels.

  1. Initiatives: Assesses flagship projects and policy actions to inform value, learning, adaptation and decision-making.
  2. Strategies: Connects and tracks outcomes from strategic efforts, showing collective contributions to change.
  3. Agency-wide: Builds a consistent picture of how HWQld’s efforts contribute to meaningful change across the system.

If you have any questions about this framework or would like more information, please email us at info@hw.qld.gov.au.

Last updated 16 October 2025