This page is part of our successful commissioning toolkit.
When deciding on outcomes, you often have to weigh up all the above factors listed in ‘Building outcomes‘ and come to a balanced view. It can be helpful to do this collaboratively, for example through workshops with the key players involved, including relevant third sector organisations (TSOs).
Practical example: agreeing outcomes
You are given local responsibility for a national programme to improve the fitness of adults in low-income groups. You need to agree outcomes for the programme.
The NHS in your area provides data on health issues and inequalities. A local TSO that provides a free exercise club gives powerful insight into what motivates people to take exercise and what puts them off.
You talk to the councillors in your area, who have insight into the history of the area and offer advice on where any new facilities should be located in order to make sense for natural communities.
You are focused on the need to ensure your programme is sustainable and talk to a local TSO that can make sports equipment from recycled material.
Weighing all this up, you decide your programme’s outcome should be for an increase in fitness in adults in certain geographical parts of your administrative area. In focusing on certain areas, you intend to reach those residents with the greatest socio-economic and health needs.
You undertake baseline research to establish the number of people currently taking exercise and the amount of time and exertion involved. Using this you will set SMART targets for people who take up exercise and for people who continue to take exercise.
You will also insist, either through the outcomes for the programmes, or through another condition of funding, that sustainable materials must be used.
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Successful commissioning toolkit: Table of contents