I.M.P.A.C.T. Model
The UC Berkeley Possibility Lab’s I.M.P.A.C.T. Model
bridges the gap between government and community, by connecting informed and inclusive public deliberation to decisions at the highest levels of state and local government.
View Our ProjectsThe Six Steps of I.M.P.A.C.T.
Our team works with government partners doing community outreach and civic engagement to inform policy development and implementation using our six steps for I.M.P.A.C.T.
Steps 1, 2, & 3
Initiate, Mobilize, Plan
Through the first three steps of the model, government practitioners build collaborative, power-sharing partnerships with local and community organizations that can contribute input and expertise.
These stages of the process help refine an understanding of which problems need to be solved and how to develop solutions. They also identify specific features of meaningful engagement: what stakeholders to engage, how to structure participation, and the desired goals and outcomes.
Initiate
Determine the purpose and goals for engaging with impacted communities, and define the questions to answer.
Mobilize
Assemble a team of targeted partnerships to help make decisions around the engagement process and establish rules for collaboration.
Plan
Together, the government and chosen partners select an appropriate method or methods of engagement. Planning efforts can include a variety of traditional methods (e.g., interviews, focus groups, surveys) and/or more tech-forward/newer approaches (e.g., scaled digital platforms, moderated deliberations).
Steps 4, 5, & 6
Act, Catalyze, Test
The second half of the process is where the plan is put into action.
In these steps, government practitioners collaborate with local and community-based organizations to recruit participants, facilitate engagement activities, and interpret and actualize the outputs of those activities. They also test outcomes at multiple levels, including effects on individual participants, on policy change, and on key outputs and outcomes of the policy process.
Act
Take action by designing and deploying engagements that are best suited to meet predetermined goals.
Catalyze
Compile the information from the engagement and synthesize to highlight findings and/or actionable recommendations.
Test
Implement, evaluate, and iterate on civic engagement activities and recommended actions. Together, plan for next steps.
Case Studies
The I.M.P.A.C.T. Model in Action
Examples of the Model in Action include current partnerships with the Governor’s Office of Land Use & Climate Innovation, Strategic Growth Council, and California Youth Empowerment Commission.
View Our ProjectsMore of our I.M.P.A.C.T. model in work
Our model is not just theoretical. We are actively working with partners across state and local government to test it, refine it, and most importantly to help advance effective public policy solutions. Here is a snapshot of some of our current projects.
Our Partners
Interested in learning more about how we can work together?
Contact Us!