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Accountability line

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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?

 1. Increased media literacy in your state.

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.

 2. Increased enjoyment during a museum visit.

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

 3. Reduced global poverty.

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.

 4. Educators use more digital resources in their classrooms.

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!

 5. Educators are more likely to use digital resources in their classrooms.

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.

 6. Deeper understanding and increased knowledge in topic area.

Accountable. If you deliver a training activity, you are accountable for positive learning outcomes relating to the topic area!

 7. Adoption of open and accessible approaches to digital cultural heritage.

Not accountable. You can’t force people to take an action, but you can create the conditions that encourage them to do this.

 8. Pupils using an online resource are inspired.

Accountable. If you are delivering an online resource that aims to inspire pupils, then you are accountable for this positive outcome because it occurs in the short-term and through direct use of the resource.

 9. New contacts made at an event.

Accountable. If you bring people together at an event with the aim of encouraging networking and collaboration, then you are responsible for this short-term outcome.

 10. Collaborations emerge from a networking event.

Not accountable. If you bring people together at an event with the aim of encouraging networking and collaboration, then you are responsible for the short-term outcome of creating contacts. You are not responsible, however, for ensuring that the new connections result in collaborations unless this is your explicit objective.

 11. Participants in a training programme take steps to improve data quality and accessibility

Not accountable. You can’t force people to take an action, but you can create the conditions that encourage them to do this.

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