10 LESSONS LEARNED FROM NNIP

1. Design indicator systems for the explicit purpose of changing things—not just to monitor trends.
2. Develop a single integrated system that can support one-stop shopping.
3. Develop indicators at the neighborhood level—not just for the city as a whole.
4. Build a data "warehouse" from which indicator reports can be derived—not just a set of files on indicators.
5. Serve multiple users but emphasize using information to build capacity in poor communities.
6. Democratize information—help stakeholders use information directly themselves.
7. Help stakeholders use data to tackle individual issues, but do so in a way that leads toward more comprehensive strategies.
8. Use information as a bridge to promote local collaboration.
9. Use available indicators but recognize their inadequacies—particularly the lack of sufficient data on community assets.
10. Assure integrity in the data and the institution that provides them.

From "Taking Advantage of the New Potential" by G. Thomas Kingsley.

For additional information, e-mail NNIP at nnip@ui.urban.org.