Use measurement to decide what to improve

A scorecard is a prompt for learning, not a claim that a program is succeeding.

The Northstar Services examples on this page are illustrative dimensions only: they contain no tenant results or targets. Before reporting a measure, define what it means, who owns it, what approved source supports it, and what decision it can inform. Pair activity counts with experience and outcome signals so that a busy program is not mistaken for a useful one.

Practical program review scorecard

Agree definitions and data availability before using any measure.

Dimension Example definition to agree Interpretation question Possible approved source
Reach Count of alumni who have actively opted into the program, using an agreed point-in-time definition. Is the eligible audience clearly defined, and is the count based on current permission status? Approved alumni program records
Engagement Participation in a defined activity during an agreed review period. Which activities were useful, and are low-effort and high-effort participation both visible? Approved event or program records
Experience Feedback on relevance, accessibility, or usefulness gathered through an approved method. Whose perspectives are missing, and what should change in response? Approved feedback summaries
Talent pathway Referrals or return-interest inquiries routed through the designated talent process. Are handoffs clear and consistent, without treating referrals as hiring outcomes? Approved, access-controlled talent reporting
Operations Open program actions and decisions with a named owner and review date. Which recurring issue should be resolved before the next review? Program decision and action log

Read activity and outcome signals together

The two views answer different questions; neither is a complete account on its own.

Details Activity signal Experience or outcome signal
Example Invitations sent or events held Participant feedback or a talent-process outcome
Can help answer Did the program deliver an activity? Was it useful, and what happened through the appropriate process?
Cannot establish alone Whether alumni found the activity relevant That the alumni program caused an outcome
Review alongside Audience definition, permission, and participation Process context, data quality, and other contributing factors

Hold a repeatable review

A practical sequence for turning the scorecard into a documented decision.

  1. Prepare

    Check definitions and quality

    Confirm each measure's owner, period, source, access, and known gaps before discussing results.

  2. Review

    Discuss what the evidence says

    Separate observed activity from interpretation; note what the data can and cannot establish.

  3. Decide

    Choose one adjustment

    Record the specific program change, the accountable owner, and the reason for making it.

  4. Follow up

    Set the next review

    Agree when to revisit the change and what evidence would help determine whether it is useful.