Ideation is the process of forming and relating ideas. At RK&A, we are continually engaged in this process to advance our thinking and our work. We live and work in a multifaceted, ever-changing environment, so our ideas and our thinking must evolve to stay ahead of the curve. One never knows what's around the corner, perhaps an undiscovered thought or breakthrough idea.

Planning for Impact

We propose that heightened accountability compels a new context for planning—planning for impact. 

Whether planning for life after a new building project, living the museum’s brand, or planning for the future, the museum’s intended impact should be the driving force. This involves determining what the museum intends to achieve and guiding all work to that end.

As evaluators, thinking about the end at the beginning is intuitive. We have always advocated the inextricable link between planning and evaluation. The museum’s intended impact provides focus for planning and a guidepost for evaluation. 

Yogi Berra wisely stated, “If you don’t know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?” Likewise, if you don’t know the impact you seek to achieve, how can you plan for and measure it? As stakeholders increasingly require proof of achievement, the museum’s intended impact provides a new context for planning in our rapidly changing world.

We invite you to share your thoughts and responses to planning for impact.

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