What is a good approach when presenting impact while data collection is ongoing?

• A. Present only qualitative anecdotes
• B. Include a plan for data collection alongside qualitative evidence and initial metrics
• C. Exclude any future plans
• D. Focus exclusively on past events

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is to communicate impact in a way that is honest about what you’ve seen so far while also showing how you will gather more evidence as the project progresses. The best approach is to include a plan for data collection alongside qualitative evidence and initial metrics. This shows stakeholders that you’ve started measuring impact and that you have a clear method and timeline for continuing to collect data, which adds credibility and helps manage expectations about what will be known later.

Why this works: sharing qualitative evidence demonstrates real-world effects you’ve observed, while initial metrics provide some concrete, tangible signs of progress. Adding a data‑collection plan clarifies how you will confirm, refine, or adjust those early findings, what will be measured, by whom, how often, and when updates will come. It also communicates transparency about uncertainty and shows you’re committed to rigorous evaluation as more information becomes available.

Why the other approaches aren’t as effective: relying only on qualitative anecdotes can lead to biased or incomplete pictures that don’t show how results will be validated over time. Excluding future plans leaves stakeholders guessing about how impact will be proven as you continue collecting data. Focusing only on past events ignores ongoing progress and the possibility of new insights that will emerge with continued measurement.