In not-for-profit governance, bold ideas often rise and fall on enthusiasm alone. A charismatic board member might execute an idea they are passionate about but fail to produce clear outcomes.  The organisation might announce a new project or policy, run hard for a few months, and then quietly move on when the results are uncertain or mixed. This Experiment Tracker is designed to interrupt that cycle by helping teams to collaborate effectively and make data-informed decisions. 

Real progress usually comes less from grand gestures and more from trial and error. Learning happens when we make our assumptions visible without being defensive, test them in the real world, and record what actually happens, not what we had hoped would happen. 

This helpsheet provides a simple structure to support that process. It helps to turns idealism into evidence-based practice, and helps to replace defensiveness with curiosity. It helps your board or team to stay focused on learning rather than on protecting reputations or “winning” debates. 

It can be used when you’re launching a new policy, campaign, project or partnership. The aim is to find what works and then to share those lessons transparently with others. 

To download a word version of the experiment tracker help sheet that you can print or interact with, please click the button below.

Download interactive help sheet

Experiment tracker template
#

1. Describe what you’re trying and why. 

Write one or two sentences outlining the idea or experiment.
Be clear about the problem you’re testing a new solution for and the assumption behind it.

Example: “We believe that holding shorter, more frequent board meetings will improve engagement and reduce fatigue.”

2. Describe what success would look like. 

Describe the measurable signs that would show your idea is working.
Keep it specific and realistic.

Example: “Attendance above 90 per cent, shorter meetings that still get through all the agenda items, and improved satisfaction in post-meeting surveys.”

3. Plan what evidence you’ll gather and when. 

Note what data, feedback, or observations will help you understand what’s happening, and when you’ll collect them.

Example: “Track meeting attendance for three months, collect short post-meeting surveys from participants, and note how many items are completed per agenda.”

4. Review your results, and record what you’ll adjust in light of those results. 

Summarise what you found, and what changes you’ll make based on that evidence.

Example: “Meetings improved engagement but still ran long—next step is to trial tighter time limits per agenda item.”

Capture the key insights and make them available to others in your organisation so they can build on your learning.

Posted on 10 Nov 2025

CATHERINE BROOKS on "Diversity, inclusion and community engagement" in Radical Moderate.

Experiment tracker template #

1. Describe what you’re trying and why.

2. Describe what success would look like.

3. Plan what evidence you’ll gather and when.

4. Review your results, and record what you’ll adjust in light of those results.

5. Share what you’ve learned.

More Radical Moderate

Experiment tracker template
#

1. Describe what you’re trying and why. 

2. Describe what success would look like. 

3. Plan what evidence you’ll gather and when. 

4. Review your results, and record what you’ll adjust in light of those results. 