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About GO Lab

The basics

New to outcomes-based contracting? Here are some jargon-free introductions to the various types of approaches

Outcomes-based contracting

This guide offers an introduction to outcomes-based contracting, including its place among other methods of contracting out public services, the theoretical pros and cons, and the evidence to date.

New to impact bonds? This user-friendly guide will explore what impact bonds are, the evidence to date and how they work in practice in different countries around the world.

Relational contracting

This guide provides an introduction to relational contracting in the public sector, explaining what it is, the potential benefits and challenges, and how to adopt a relational approach.

This guide introduces outcomes funds. It aims to document and describe outcomes funds around the world and identify lessons for future fund design.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Knowledge bank

Explore our datasets, case studies and publications to learn more about the latest research on outcomes-based contracting

We are the International Network for Data on Impact and Government Outcomes (INDIGO). Here you can explore our datasets, read our latest news, join our events and find out more about data sharing in the field of social outcomes.

A collection of in-depth case studies of impact bonds around the world

Publications library

View the latest reports, evaluations and more on outcomes-based contracting

A glossary of key terms and working definitions around impact bonds and outcomes-based contracting

Toolkit

Interested in designing and managing outcomes-based projects? We have prepared some tools and guidance to help

Impact bond lifecycle

Developed in consultation with a wide range of practitioners to support projects being established under the UK Government’s Life Chances Fund.

Technical guidance

We have a range of guidance to support you develop impact bonds, from setting and measuring outcomes, to awarding the contract and pricing outcomes.

GO Lab-CIPFA Value for Money (VfM) Toolkit

We've partnered with Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy(CIPFA) to develop a toolkit for public managers planning to assess VfM of outcomes-based contracting programmes, or any public programme with an outcome-focus.

Impact Wayfinder [Prototype]

Are you thinking of running an impact evaluation for your project? Check out our new Impact Wayfinder! We'll help you find the right evaluation for you according to the focus of your organisation and the scale of your project.

Mission-led Growth Dashboard

This innovative dashboard benchmarks performance data for each council in England with its Nearest Neighbour, the median of all local authorities in England and the average of the selected authority’s ten Nearest Neighbours.

Formal-relational contracting playbook

Helping commissioners and providers to take a formal-relational approach to delivering complex public services.

Community

Connect with others through our global directory, read the latest blogs, join our events and more.

Oxford Government Outcomes Blog

Read the latest opinion and insights from the GO Lab network

Find out the latest news from the GO Lab and across the sector

Join our events, from webinars, regional events to international conferences

Peer Learning Groups

At the GO Lab, we host a selection of peer learning groups that aim to support learning and knowledge on outcome-based approaches. Read more on our different groups and upcoming sessions here.

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Resource library

Want to keep up-to-date on the latest news and events in the field?

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Reset

Research paper | 17 Sep 2021

Performance management in social impact bonds: how an outcomes-based approach shapes hybrid partnerships

This paper by former GO Lab colleague Dr Ruth Dixon investigates how outcomes-based performance management regimes operate in the partnerships known as social impact bonds, which bring together partners from the public, private and third sectors.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Resource | 16 Sep 2021

Summary report: Understanding cost effectiveness of education interventions in India: a key step towards outcomes-based financing

As the Quality Education India Development Impact Bond (QEI DIB), set up to improve learning outcomes for school children, comes to an end, some of its key stakeholders draw lessons for the outcomes-based financing ecosystem in education in India.

Organisations: Dalberg, UBS Optimus Foundation, British Asian Trust

Template | 10 Sep 2021

Oxford POGO Club - Outcomes Template Draft September 2021 (V2.0)

Organisation: Oxford POGO Club

Conference session | 10 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | Adventures in awarding the outcomes contracts

We kicked off Day 2 of the Social Outcomes Conference 2021 with an adventure through the challenges of awarding outcomes-based contracts. Watch the recording here.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Explore our in-depth collection of case studies on impact bonds and other outcomes-based approaches around the world.

Case studies

Explore

Conference session | 10 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | Children’s services in Europe: using social impact bonds to commission preventative services

On the second day of the Social Outcomes Conference 2021, we explored social impact bonds (SIBs) focussing on children’s services across Europe. Watch the recording here.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Conference session | 10 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | Measuring impact: trade-offs and accountability

On the second day of the Social Outcomes Conference 2021 we hosted a deep dive session that explored a range of innovations in, and aspects of, the field of social impact measurement. Watch the recording here.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Conference session | 10 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | Art & science: making sense of the global evidence on outcomes-based contracting approaches

In this Social Outcomes Conference session, we presented the preliminary findings of the Global Systematic Review on Social Outcomes Contracting explored the practical implications of the research findings with a panel of experts.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Conference session | 10 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | Shifting narratives and logics for the use of social impact bonds

This Social Outcomes Conference deep dive session featured academic and practitioner perspectives on the use of social impact bonds (SIBs).

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

We coordinate a range of geographical and thematically focused peer learning groups which enable people to learn from each other.

Peer learning groups

Join us

Conference session | 10 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | The integration of the user voice in outcomes-based contracts and beyond

This SOC21 panel session examined the emerging evidence on the role of the user voice in impact bonds across the UK and in an international context.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Conference session | 10 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | Outcomes for institutional reform

In this SOC21 session we discussed the use of a number of instruments which aim to influence the broader canvas in which complex social issues sit.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Conference session | 10 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | Using public procurement to build back better?

Chaired by Professor Christopher McCrudden, this Social Outcomes Conference session explored the use of spending through government contracts – the public procurement system - to achieve broad public policy goals.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Conference session | 10 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | Public talk: Politicians in the board room? How government should handle responsible business

For the Social Outcomes Conference 2021's closing public talk, we were joined by two outstanding thought leaders, Dr Dambisa Moyo and Professor Karthik Ramanna for an engaging discussion on how governments can support responsible business.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

We publish articles on a range of topics related to improving social outcomes. Give them a read and if you'd like to write about something relevant to our work, get in touch!

Read our Oxford Government Outcomes Blog

Read more

Resource | 9 Sep 2021

What 'good' looks like - VALUE Magazine

Government Outcomes Lab Academic Director Mara Airoldi was interviewed for an article on the Brabant Outcomes Fund, which explores the concept of outcomes funds and their potential benefits.

Organisation: VALUE magazine

Conference session | 9 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | Social levelling-up: the role of cross-sector partnerships, place and devolution in addressing social disparity between regions

Watch the recording of a roundtable session at the Social Outcomes Conference 2021 chaired by Professor Philip McCann where we examined examples and engaged a line-up of leading thinkers on what the social aspect of levelling-up should mean.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Conference session | 9 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | From pilot to systems change: International perspectives on outcomes-based partnerships

Watch this Social Outcomes Conference roundtable session where we explored with experts from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia the latest practice and emerging insights around the development of outcomes-focused partnerships.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Conference session | 9 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | Transforming public procurement? Issues of culture, outcomes, transparency, and learning in the UK Government's post-Brexit public procurement law reform proposals

Watch this Social Outcomes Conference session chaired by Michael Bowsher QC on public procurement law reform initiatives in the UK and around the world in relation to public services designed to tackle social challenges.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

We have a range of guidance to support you develop impact bonds, from setting and measuring outcomes, to awarding the contract and pricing outcomes.

Technical guidance

Read more

Conference session | 9 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | Keynote address by Professor Joseph Stiglitz and panel discussion: Measuring what counts in order to make markets work for people

For the Social Outcomes Conference we were joined by our keynote speaker Professor Joseph Stiglitz and hundreds of people from across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas to discuss how to measure what counts.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Conference session | 9 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | International Public Management Journal special issue symposium

Watch the recording of our International Public Management Journal special issue symposium, which took place on the second day of the Social Outcomes Conference 2021.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Conference session | 9 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | Together or apart: how should non-state work with the state to improve social outcomes?

On Day 1 of last year's Social Outcomes Conference, we took a deep dive into the potential issues and opportunities that come with state and non-state actors working together.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Conference session | 9 Sep 2021

| SOC21 | INDIGO Hack and Learn Show and Tell

Watch the recording of SOC21's INDIGO Hack and Learn Show and Tell, where the hack teams came together to present the data visualisations and findings produced over their 2-week hackathon event.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

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