Using Measures of Impact and Benefit to Inform Decision Making at the Virginia Museum of Natural History

Abstract

This quality improvement project explores how leaders at the Virginia Museum of Natural History define impact, how leaders use data to inform decision making, and what museum stakeholders identify as opportunities for increased benefit. A sequential mixed methods design included semi-structured interviews with members of the museum’s boards and executive leadership team as well as a survey distributed to museum stakeholders. Findings point to opportunities for the museum’s leaders to create an organizational planning and evaluation framework; develop Key Performance Indicators to measure impact and progress toward strategic goals; and incorporate opportunities into exhibits and events for visitors to take action.