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CUBIST Training

The Heritage Impact Training (HIT) Model

Using four years of research in the European Commission's EPOCH Network of excellence as the foundation, the CUBIST Research Group has developed a training model for cultural and heritage site managers. The Heritage Impact Training (HIT) model allows site managers to gain an understanding of how the day-to-day operations of their site affect long-term impacts and outcomes, and it provides guidance on how to capture and measure those impacts and outcomes.

Using the model a heritage site manager can progress through a series of four predefined stages from understanding the site to measuring the impact. The aim of the holistic impact training tool is to allow cultural and heritage site managers, directors and trustees to develop an understanding of social and economic impact assessment. Four learning outcomes are envisaged:

  • Understanding how different factors contribute to the social and economic impact of a heritage site.
  • Identifying the link between a heritage site's social and economic impact and its day to day operations.
  • Establishing ways of using business performance reviews to translate social and economic objectives into measurable social performance targets.
  • Understanding how to use standard comparison and benchmarking procedures to report on social and economic performance in a way that can be understood by everyone who needs to.

Importantly, the value of such a tool increases with smaller heritage sites and organisations that do not have access to extensive business knowledge and human resources to undertake socio-economic analyses. Diverting staff resources from core business processes to conduct impact assessment is a decision that is not undertaken lightly. However, the model does more than simply provide an impact measure - it shows the links between business process and impacts/outcomes. Therefore, time spent on the training yields two results: an impact assessment and an understanding of how the operations at a site can be modified to improve impact.

A derivative of the Heritage Impact Training (HIT) model is now being used in the social enterprise sector where it is the basis of a qualification accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management.