Guidance and Standards

The Guide to SROI provides a clear framework for anyone interested in measuring, managing and accounting for social value or social impact.

This Guide was originally written in 2009 with the UK Cabinet Office. Updated in 2012, it is the result of consultation with practitioners, members, academics, and others with an interest in social and environmental value and impact measurement.

Download the Guide

Standards

We also have the following standards available, for use alongside the Guide. Click the links to download pdfs:

• Standard on Applying Principle 1 Involve stakeholders
• Standard on Applying Principle 2: Understand what changes (Part One: Creating well defined outcomes)
• Standard on Applying Principle 3: Value the things that matter
• Standard on Applying Principle 4: Only include what is material
• Standard on Applying Principle 8: Be Responsive

The Draft Standard and short guidance for applying Principle 5 is now out for consultation. We recommend that you read Principle 8 first as this has implications for Principle 5.

• DRAFT Standard on Applying Principle 5: Do not overclaim

Value Map

• Value Map template (Excel)
• Guidance Note on Updates to the Value Map
• Value Map template (PDF)

Additional Guidance

• Supplementary Guidance on Using SROI
• Maximise Your Impact : A Guide for Social Entrepreneurs

For those who just want an initial introduction to SROI, we can recommend the Starting Out on SROI Guide, to be used with the Self Assessment Tool.

Translations of the Guide

The Guide is now also available in 10 different languages including Russian, Japanese and Portuguese. Browse and download the full selection from the Social Value International website.