Frequently Asked Questions
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What does analytics mean?
In the UpMetrics platform, users can look for patterns or indicators of certain results. By examining what happened leading up to a result, you’re analyzing the data. The easiest way to begin analysis is to list questions you’d like to answer with your data, and what information you would need to get those answers. Questions can start simple - did we hit our goal? Then get more detailed - did we impact our desired audience? If one community responded more quickly to an initiative- what is unique about them? In truth, analytics is simply asking questions and identifying new opportunities with patterns of causation or correlation between two events.
What do you mean by data insights?
Insights are pieces of information backed by data. Insights can be informed by numbered results - for example, 60% of an organization’s workforce participated in an in-person volunteer activity versus 80% participated in a digital volunteer opportunity. This data is providing insight around how the workforce prefers to engage in volunteerism. Qualitative data can also provide insights - for example, feedback from these events will give more detail into why people prefer the digital format. Or maybe it was just the date and time that worked better! Ideally you can pull insights from a variety of sources, coming together to answer all questions and provide a baseline for analysis.
Is data different from information?
Both data and information are rooted in fact, but how you interpret each can vary. At the highest level, data is facts. Whether numbers, survey responses, or research results, data is often raw and reported in the exact way it was collected. Information is usually presented with context. I want to solve a certain problem, or answer a certain question, so I pull different data to form information that can guide (or inform) my actions. While everything starts with data, you can’t be data-driven without the ability to access and analyze the data, turning it into information.
What is quantitative data? What is qualitative data?
Quantitative data is measured by numbers, with each data set or line item of data represented by a number or count. Qualitative data describes characteristics or qualities and is non-numerical in nature. Again - both of these types of data are rooted in fact and can be treated as such. They are just collected and expressed differently.
What are types of qualitative data?
Qualitative data can include:
- Identifying information: psychographic information like hobbies, and some demographic information like gender, hair color or nationality.
- Photos or videos showing first hand accounts. Journals would count as qualitative, too!
- Behavior exhibited in focus groups or other testing environments.
Why is qualitative data important?
Qualitative data helps to provide context around the numerical data. Knowing the situation in which quantitative data was collected, the parameters of what was collected, or how a question was asked can inform how you interpret a numeric data point.
What is data visualization?
Data visualization is a visual representation of data - spanning graphs, charts, and maps. It makes it easier for an audience to see large shifts over time, or compare two sets of data. With data visualizations it is also easier to spot patterns or trends that could inform future opportunities for optimizations.
How can I measure impact?
To measure impact simply requires a commitment to collecting data and setting goals. The best way to approach impact measurement is to establish a logic model. A logic model helps you to think about what you need from both an action and resources standpoint to achieve your goal. At UpMetrics, we follow the DeCAL methodology - you can find more information about that approach here.
Do I need data to take advantage of the platform?
You do need data to fuel the platform’s dashboards and analytic tools, but don’t worry if you don’t currently have much to work with. The platform has a feature called the Data Collector that makes it very easy for you to start collecting the data you’ve identified as important in your logic model. Collect information right in the platform with this survey tool, then start your analysis as dashboards update automatically with new data.
What are some ways I can collect data?
Survey tools, like the Data Collector, are a great way to collect data from events or from contacts for whom you have email information. Put out surveys digitally as well - on your website and social media channels. Finally, though it is more expensive, mailed surveys can be worth it if you’re looking to collect additional, detailed information from a very targeted group.
Don’t forget about the abundance of data that is already available to you, as well! This includes data collected by your peers, and publicly reported data. Both can be added to the platform with the data you collect - deepening the level of insight you can achieve around your impact.
What if my data lives in many different places?
Many sources of data often result in frustration, and a reduced amount of time performing the deep analysis that can lead to optimal decision making. With the UpMetrics platform, you have one centralized library of data and information. Integrations connect all of your data sources to one hub, and dashboards can incorporate data from across sources in a single view.
What is public data and why is it helpful?
Public data is data collected and shared by the government. The most common example is census data. It can be helpful to expand your view of impact, especially when you're seeking to solve complex or systemic issues. Learn more in this blog post.
How is security baked into your product?
Our products are built on enterprise-grade technology, and employ a variety of features to help you protect your data. Access to personal data is only granted to authorized users, and users have control over what they share. UpMetrics allows groups to coordinate activities and support each other in a totally closed and safe environment.
For more information, visit our privacy and security page.
How do you handle compliance?
UpMetrics is fully compliant with federal and a state laws such as FERPA, COPPA, and SOPIPA. We’d love to talk with you about how UpMetrics can support your compliance requirements.
How do you continuously evolve your security/privacy practices?
We’re constantly strengthening our ability to protect your data by providing regular training to our staff, monitoring key systems for abnormalities, and employing experts to advise us on the legal issues that we and our partners face.
Is UpMetrics a platform?
Yes. UpMetrics is a cloud-based SaaS application that you can access on any device.
What can I do on the platform?
In the UpMetrics platform your organization can add data (manually or with various integrations), collect data with our survey tool and stories features, perform data analysis with the support of various data visualization options and develop public-facing reports to share with your team and external stakeholders.
For more information on product features, visit our product page.
What types of organizations do you work with?
UpMetrics works with impact organizations across the public, private and social sectors. Who qualifies as an "impact organization"? Anyone looking to set key performance indicators and track their progress towards those goals. Most clients are tracking toward social good goals - ranging from desired outcomes of a specific grant program to impact investors tracking progress toward DEI goals.
Who are your competitors?
Most of our clients have only worked with spreadsheets before coming to us. Because the UpMetrics platform covers data collection and reporting, Excel and Google Sheets would be considered alternative products. However, the UpMetrics platform also offers data visualization tools that may be compared to a tool like Tableau. Learn more about our competitors and see how our comprehensive solution covers use cases across multiple competitive product categories with reviews from Capterra.
What integrations are supported by UpMetrics?
Currently, the UpMetrics platform integrates with Google Sheets, Salesforce, Survey Monkey and Qualtrics.
What are services?
When you purchase the platform, your organization will receive an allocation of hours from our Services team as well. They're there to help you build out the logic model, identifying the right goals and metrics for success that will accelerate progress toward desired outcomes.
Are services and software required?
A set amount of services are included in your contract, with the software terms of use agreement. You can add more services if you desire, at an additional cost. You cannot purchase services without the platform.
What is your pricing model?
We scale pricing by organization size. Contact us for additional information.
Do you sell our data?
Where is your team located?
Our team is primarily U.S. based and headquartered in San Francisco. However, we are a fully-remote company which means our team is based all across the US, and we have one employee located in Canada.
Are we ready for your platform? What about services?
This is the biggest question we hear, and the most often. To get started on the platform you don't need an abundance of data or a clear framework around your desired impact. If your mission is clear, you're ready to get started measuring impact. Our services team allows you to start small when appropriate, working with you to define what success means for your organization before diving into any data collection, reporting or analysis.