Results-Based Accountability™ Course
Results-Based Accountability™ is a robust and structured way of going from talk to action in a very short time. It enables you to focus on outcomes, takes a common sense approach and uses plain language. It provides a disciplined way of having continuous improvement conversations with like-minded stakeholders.
The image on the right represents Results-Based Accountability™ as a piece of the puzzle completing Elaine’s approach and body of knowledge.
Elaine Hendrick Consulting is proud to collaborate with Mark Friedman, creator of the Results-Based Accountability™ framework. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to building outcomes-focused cultures across the for-purpose, government, and community sectors.
The extra puzzle piece in the EHC logo symbolizes this connection — representing the added value of RBA in unlocking clarity, alignment, and measurable impact in the work of organisations striving to make a difference.
About RBA
Results-Based Accountability™ (RBA) is a practical, evidence-informed framework that helps organisations plan, deliver, and evaluate policies, strategies, programs, and services with a clear focus on outcomes. It supports continuous improvement and accountability by enabling teams to track progress, measure success, and demonstrate their contribution to impact. By focusing on measurable results, RBA strengthens decision-making and drives meaningful change for the communities they serve.
RBA enables organisations to move beyond activity-based reporting and focus on real outcomes.
It provides a structured approach to assessing what’s working, what’s not, and where improvements can be made.
By emphasising measurable results, RBA makes it easier to demonstrate impact, strengthen funding applications, and drive meaningful change.
Benefits and implementation
RBA supports:
Community engagement – by involving residents in defining outcomes
Stronger evidence – by focusing on what changes for people, not just service counts
Better decision-making – by helping teams identify what’s working and why
Improved accountability – by linking performance to real-world results
Cross-sector collaboration – by aligning efforts across services and partnerships
RBA is highly adaptable and has been successfully used in:
Community health and wellbeing
Youth, family, and social services
Environmental and sustainability programs
Place-based and co-designed initiatives
Disaster recovery and resilience
Arts, culture, and civic engagement
Local government planning and policy development
The RBA Creator
Results-Based Accountability™ (RBA) was developed by Mark Friedman in the 1990s, drawing on his extensive experience in public administration and public policy. A leading thinker in social change, organizational performance, management, budgeting, and strategic planning, Mark has written extensively on these subjects, including his widely acclaimed book, Trying Hard Is Not Good Enough (2005), which introduced RBA to a global audience.
The approach was initially designed to help government agencies and organisations improve the way they measure and achieve results, focusing on clear outcomes and data-driven decision-making. Since its development, RBA has a wide global reach, including the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, where it is used by governments, nonprofits, social enterprises, and funders to track performance and drive meaningful change.
Today, RBA continues to shape the way organisations measure success, allocate resources, and create lasting impact, ensuring that efforts are focused on delivering real-world measurable results for the communities they serve.
Your Facilitator
Elaine Hendrick, a leading RBA practitioner in Australia and Singapore, with over 25 years of experience dedicated to finding a more robust way to measure program and organisational success. My search led me to Results-Based Accountability™ (RBA) - a framework that provides clarity, structure, and measurable impact in tracking outcomes and driving meaningful change.
I have extensive experience in building the capability of staff in the for-purpose sector, helping organisations shift from activity-based reporting to a focus on real, measurable outcomes. Through coaching and training, I have supported RBA implementation at all levels, ensuring that leaders, managers, and frontline staff have the skills and confidence to embed outcomes thinking into their work.
My commitment to practical, results-driven change was recognized in 2010 when my training and embedding work at Melbourne City Mission received the inaugural Victorian Community Sector Award in the category of "organisations using new approaches to managing administrative and compliance issues as well as new approaches to workforce challenges."
Today, I continue to work with government agencies, nonprofits, charities, social enterprises, and funders to build RBA capability, strengthen impact measurement, and drive better decision-making - ensuring that efforts lead to real change for the communities they serve.
Course Options
Whether you’re completely new to outcomes measurement or simply want to ensure you’re on the right track, this course was created with you in mind. It’s designed to be accessible and practical, breaking down key concepts into bite-sized, self-paced modules so you can learn at your own pace. Everything you need to enhance your knowledge is right here at your fingertips - available online whenever you need it.
Combining self-paced learning with tailored coaching, RBA Plus gives you the tools to apply the theory in a practical, real-world scenario. Gain access to the RBA: Fundamentals in Outcomes Thinking course, plus five 60-minute coaching sessions over to embed RBA into your programs and services. This structured approach ensures you have the support and guidance needed to confidently embed RBA into your work.
About the Course
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Includes fundamental outcomes measurement concepts delivered in:
5 x bite-sized modules each comprising between 1 to 3 parts
4 x 5-minute quizzes at the end of the first 4 modules
3 x 2-minute recap videos
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The course comprises bite-sized modules which you could complete in less than 5 hours in one seating or fit it in at times that work for you between your busy schedule. If you are the latter and are concerned about scheduling it in, we have you covered.
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The RBA Fundamentals Plus course is ideal for beginners in outcomes thinking and measurement. When you purchase this package and apply the learning from the online videos, I am confident that you will be able to take the theory into your practice area.
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Sign up below and make a credit card payment through our secure payment portal and you will have immediate access to the RBA Fundamentals Course – the start of your outcomes measurement journey.
You will also receive an email with the relevant links to the course and your online payment tax invoice/receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. RBA is ideal for participatory approaches because it uses plain language, is easy to communicate, and helps ensure community voices are heard in defining what matters and tracking progress over time.
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RBA supports much more than just evaluation — it strengthens strategic planning, program design, and decision-making. It helps organisations stay focused on the difference they want to make and use real-time data to adjust course when needed.
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We offer tailored support including:
Introductory and advanced RBA training
Hands-on coaching to apply RBA to real projects
Support with developing outcomes frameworks and performance measures
Guidance on impact reporting aligned to funding or strategy requirements
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We offer a range of support options including:
Online self-paced courses introducing RBA and outcomes thinking
One-on-one and team coaching to apply RBA to your work
Tailored training sessions for boards, staff, or collaborators
Support in developing theory of change, outcomes frameworks, and impact reports
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Not at all. RBA is designed to be accessible. Most teams can learn and apply the framework with the right training and support. While some organisations choose to work with a facilitator initially, many quickly build internal capability to sustain its use independently.
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Not necessarily. RBA is designed to be embedded in regular planning and evaluation practices. Many councils and NGOs use coaching and short-term support to build their own skills and apply the framework internally across multiple programs.
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Funders increasingly ask for outcomes-based reporting. RBA helps you clearly communicate the results you’re achieving, why they matter, and how you know they’re happening. This builds trust with funders, strengthens partnership proposals, and can differentiate you in a crowded funding environment.
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RBA can be used to align your outcomes with broader agendas like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), regenerative practice, or systems change frameworks. It provides the structure needed to track your contribution toward larger societal goals while still focusing on practical, localised impact.
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Yes. RBA is scalable and accessible. It can be applied by grassroots initiatives, medium-sized organisations, and large NGOs alike. Its plain-language approach means teams of all sizes can engage with it — from frontline staff to board members.
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Absolutely. Social enterprises can use RBA to clarify their social or environmental mission, track progress toward impact goals, and embed outcomes thinking into day-to-day operations. It’s especially valuable for aligning business decisions with impact measurement in a credible and consistent way.
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If you’re looking for a clear, practical way to measure your impact, communicate your value, and embed outcomes thinking across your team — RBA is a great fit. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining your existing approach, it offers a flexible and scalable solution.
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For Nonprofits, Social Enterprises & Councils
If you're a program manager in a not-for-profit, social enterprise, charity, or Council, this course is designed for you. Whether you're new to outcomes thinking or looking to deepen your understanding of how it applies in real-world settings, you'll gain the clarity and confidence to examine your programs, services, projects, policies, and strategies through a fresh perspective, bringing them to life in a way that drives real impact.For Purpose-Driven Organisations & the Private Sector
For purpose-led organisations seeking to enhance their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives or Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts, this course offers a structured framework to assess and measure real impact. RBA moves beyond compliance and reporting, helping you track progress, evaluate success, and create meaningful change. Whether you're new to outcomes measurement or refining your CSR initiatives or ESG approach, this course equips you with the knowledge to align your initiatives with measurable, lasting results. -
The RBA course is a catalyst for change, designed for individuals and organizations ready to rethink how they measure success and drive meaningful impact. It challenges traditional ways of reporting and encourages a shift toward outcomes-focused decision-making to ensure programs, services, and initiatives truly deliver positive, measurable change for the people and communities they serve.
If you’re here to keep ticking boxes, maintain the status quo, or do the same things while expecting different results, this course is not for you.
RBA is about evolving, improving, and making informed decisions—not for the sake of change itself, but to ensure real impact, continuous improvement, and smarter resource allocation for lasting, transformative results. The RBA thinking process requires a willingness to challenge assumptions, ask better questions, and take action toward meaningful change.