Understanding the Language
The language of regeneration can be confusing even for practitioners. For those new to the field it can be a major barrier. Regeneration has its own special language - terms and abbreviations - but the writers of regeneration reports and documents often forget that it is not understood by all. A further difficulty is that some of the terms are not always used consistently.
An understanding of what is meant by the word ‘outcome’ and certain other terms used is absolutely fundamental. It is not just a matter of semantics. Not understanding the difference between an ‘outcome’ and an ‘output’ can mean that regeneration programmes are planned which spend the budget but do not ultimately achieve the things that people really wanted to see happen.
There are other key terms which may be confused and inconsistently used. Clarity about terminology makes it much more likely that the outcome agreement and its underlying strategy will have a clear logic and structure.
Inputs, Outputs and Outcomes
It may help to think of the relationship between these terms, as represented below, and how they relate to cost effectiveness and value for money.
Effectiveness is a key issue in the design of any outcome agreement – are these outputs the most effective way of securing the desired outcomes?
Source: Choosing the Right FABRIC, HM Treasury (2001)
Further explanation of all the jargon used in outcome agreements is available in the glossary, or more detailed definitions are provided here:
• Outcomes
• Outputs
• Inputs
• Targets
The glossary is also available as a stand alone document which you can print off and have as a handy reference. ‘A glossary for Regeneration Outcomes’.
