Accountability line

Owned by Nicole Mc Neilly
Last updated: Aug 17, 2023
4 min read

Intended Learning outcomes

This page is designed to help you:

  • Clearly understand the concept of the accountability line

  • Understand where you are and where you are not accountable for change

  • Help you make decisions about what you can measure and when

What is the accountability line?

You will be happy to know that you don't have to feel personally and individually responsible for, say, increasing global media literacy or the end of child labour. The accountability line marks the point between the outcomes or impact you contribute to (e.g. increased literacy) and the outcomes that are directly attributable to you (e.g. open access to information). When you go past the accountability line, other factors will influence the outcomes - they are beyond your control.

In the Change Pathway, we use the Accountability Line to mark where we no longer solely accountable for change. Look at the red line on the Change Pathway below.

In the example above, you wouldn’t be directly responsible for pupils having a stronger sense of connection with heritage. This might be influenced by a lot of other factors, but you can contribute towards it. You also can’t be responsible for educators using more heritage in the classroom - they have to be motivated to do this, and other barriers or influences might influence this outcome. In both cases, however, you can create the conditions for these changes to happen, that is to say, the short-term outcomes that can lead to this, and measure this.

Tip.

The accountability line is a great metaphor to make people understand the difference between the big, lofty goal you want to contribute to (impact) and the changes that can be directly attributable to you (outcomes). If you get stuck, look back at the guidance on Identifying short- and long-term outcomes.

Accountability line quiz

Let's test your understanding of the accountability line! Knowing when you are and when you are not solely accountable for change will help you prioritise what you measure in your impact assessment. 

In the quiz below we share a mix of short and long-term outcomes as well as impact statements. Judge whether you would be accountable or not solely accountable for the change. Where would you draw the accountability line? 

There is a hypothetical or real example behind each of the options below. It isn't important to be right - rather, to think about the instances in which you might or might not be accountable for these changes. 

For each of the following outcomes, are you:

A) accountable

B) not accountable

C) not sure?

Not accountable. This is an impact-level goal that you work towards in collaboration or together with many, many others. You are not accountable for this change.

Accountable. You are responsible for this outcome taking place. It takes place in the short-term and as a result of your activities.

Not accountable. This is an impact-level goal that you work towards in collaboration or together with many, many others. You are not accountable for this change.

Accountable and not accountable. This outcome could be a short- or long-term outcome. We might say that you are not accountable, because you can’t force someone to make a change - it is their choice, even if you set the conditions for this. If this is the goal of your activity, however, then you are accountable!

Accountable. In contrast to the outcome above, you probably are accountable for the increase in the likelihood of educators using digital resources in the classroom. You set the condition for this outcome, which makes you accountable for it.

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