Ask These Questions When Evaluating Software Systems for Workforce Development Partnerships

Jobs for the Future (JFF) recently released a Field Guide for Workforce Technology Solutions – Strategies and Approaches for Building Tech-Enabled Training Partnerships. This guide presents key lessons learned through the initial phases of the Future of Work Grand Challenge, launched in June 2020. You can read a summary of this guide in our blog Tips and Tools: Building Tech-Enabled Workforce Development Partnerships.

In the Field Guide, JFF provides questions that any workforce development partnership should consider when determining whether a technology is a good fit. These questions were developed specifically with education and training technologies in mind, but they also work well for evaluating performance and accountability management systems like Clear Impact Scorecard (Scorecard).

Scorecard allows workforce development organizations, partnerships, and boards to develop shared strategies, track and improve high-level impact, measure program performance, and report on the progress of their missions to funders, stakeholders, partners, and the public.

Below we’ve outlined some questions, based on the ones developed by JFF, that your workforce development partnership should consider when evaluating software system vendors – particularly for performance data, impact data, strategy development, and accountability management software systems. We’ve also provided some answers related to Scorecard as a potential performance management solution.

1. What Need Does the Software System Fulfill?

Scorecard allows workforce development organizations, boards, and partnerships to:

• Engage in performance improvement planning with pre-built templates to document analysis and improvement strategies
• Create joint action plans on a local indicator like the employment rate
• Aggregate performance and impact data by county, workforce board, or state to tell the story of impact for workforce development efforts
• Easily post data to web pages for sharing with the public (online data automatically updates as updates are made in the system)
• Engage in a greater focus on racial equity by easily disaggregating data by race and creating transparent plans to close gaps

Scorecard also offers many pre-built data dashboard templates, including:

• Workforce board Accountability Scorecards speaking to the role of the board (i.e., collective impact entity) with a menu of potential metrics
• Family-Centered Employment Scorecards
• Economic Development Scorecards
• WIOA and other grant reporting Scorecards

2. How will the software system make your existing programs or systems more efficient or effective?

Scorecard can store and track data, but its interface is also designed to help workforce development organizations and partnerships turn data into viable strategies and actions. Specifically, Scorecard’s built-in Turn the Curve process facilitates the critical evaluation of data to help partnerships develop effective improvement strategies.

3. Has this software system been tested and vetted in the past? What data/ case studies/ testimonials exist to support claims?

You don’t need to look far to see the impact that Scorecard has already had. We have a growing list of Scorecard case studies in which you can see our software in action and making a real-world difference for organizations in different industries. Our case study library contains many examples and testimonials of real organizations creating qualitative and quantitative improvements using Scorecard.

4. What data will the software vendor collect on users? Will information be protected? If so, how?

All of your data will be securely stored when using Scorecard. We will never share your information without your permission. However, the ability to share your data across mediums is a significant advantage of using the software. Scorecard allows for the simple embedding of data onto your website and to be shared with partner organizations or funders.

5. How will users access the software system?

Scorecard is a cloud-based software system, meaning authorized users can access it via any device or location with an internet connection.

Organizations who want to learn how Scorecard works can access and use our free tier version of the software. Users can create up to 10 data measures and access virtual training at no cost. Users will also get 5 Scorecard tutorials to help them get the most out of their subscription.

6. How will users be supported when using the software? Who is responsible for technical support?

Paid Scorecard users will get built-in customer support. A dedicated customer support manager can handle specific questions and speak with users via email once they have an account. Clear Impact also offers a Reach Your Peak support package, which includes Unlimited In-Product Live Chat (Mon-Fri 9-5 EST), Preferred Service Level Agreement (SLA) response time (1-day response and 5-day resolution guaranteed), System Review & Best Practices Consultation, One Custom Report Build, and API Connection Consultation. We can also provide customized technical assistance and training at an additional cost.

For more questions to ask when considering technology solutions for workforce development efforts, check out our blog Tips and Tools: Building Tech-Enabled Workforce Development Partnerships.