CAB Toolkit: Sustainability
Sustainability happens in two stages that are both iterative and require reflection and flexibility: (1) Assessing the impact of the CAB and (2) Deciding next steps.
Resources on this page
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Stage 1: Assessing overall impact of the partnership
Multi-method approaches – both qualitative and quantitative – should be used to understand operations, functionality, and impact. Assessments can be structured (e.g., specific set of items, fixed choice responses) or unstructured (e.g., follow-up questions emerge based on responses, conversational assessments). When decided assessments, consider the balance of being thorough vs burdensome.
Quantitative
Surveys
Activity logs
Qualitative
Focus groups
Meeting observation
Goal(s) of assessment: quantify impact, learn more about process that can explain impact, identify target points for improvement.
Process evaluations
Should examine group dynamics, protocols around shared leadership and decision making, methods of communication, and impact/outcomes.
Function evaluations
Should examine engaging and retaining CAB members, benefits and cons of CAB participation, and how sustainable features are.
Impact evaluations
Using established models, such as the Translational Science Benefits Model (TSBM), can help you describe the ways your CAB has a wide-reaching impact.
This can be done in two ways:
Prospectively
Retroactively
Can be structured or unstructured. Consider the balance of being thorough vs burdensome.
Stage 2: Deciding next steps
This step starts with the creation of the CAB – the purpose and function of the CAB will determine needs for sustainability or longevity.
Planning for compensation, honoraria, etc. should also start at the outset.
Developing a plan for ending CAB (e.g., project ending) vs. Developing a plan for longer-term maintenance.
CAB must provide bi-directional benefits to be sustainable
