So, you’ve realized it’s time to level up your ERG data game—fantastic! But let’s be honest, the task can feel overwhelming. You might be thinking, “Where do I even begin?” If you’re in this boat, you’re not alone. Most ERG programs need to reassess not just what they’re measuring for success, but also how they’re measuring it and even how they’re collecting that data.

Let’s break down the steps to get started.

1. Understand the Purpose of Your Program

First things first, you absolutely need to clarify the purpose of your ERG program. Why? Because the purpose will guide the metrics you choose to measure. Your overall goal should be reflected in every ERG leader role, and this will help you determine the right input and outcome metrics.

While I’d argue that the primary goal of every ERG should be to impact belonging for its members, some programs veer into areas like business impact—often in ways that aren’t quantifiable or truly beneficial to the community. Remember, the true purpose of an ERG is niche programming for communities of employees who aren’t typically seen. Whatever your purpose is, make sure it’s clearly stated. This clarity will allow you to build metrics and responsibilities that align with and drive toward your program’s overall goals.

2. Reevaluate ERG Leadership Roles and Responsibilities

Once you have clarity on your program’s purpose, it’s time to take a hard look at the current roles and responsibilities within your ERG. Every role should be tied to a specific number or metric. Each ERG leader needs at least one clear input metric, which is something they have full control over. For example, communications might need to be scheduled at least three times a week or 12 times a month.

This might sound like a lot, but it’s a great starting point. Remember, we’re talking about volunteers here, and the goal is to ensure they can fulfill their roles in less than two hours a month—far less than what many ERG leaders are currently doing.

3. Assign Outcome Metrics

Next, you need to tie each input metric to a specific outcome metric. If your communications lead is scheduling posts regularly, what’s the expected outcome? Maybe it’s a higher channel engagement score—measured by the percentage of members who’ve engaged in the channel over the last 30 days.

This step is crucial because it helps ERG leaders understand not just what they need to do, but what impact their actions should have. Make sure you clearly define the outcome metric for each role, so everyone knows which numbers they’re responsible for moving.

4. Articulate the “Why”

It’s not enough to just assign metrics—you also need to explain why those metrics matter. If your ERG leaders don’t understand the importance of the metrics, they’re less likely to be engaged and accountable. For instance, if a higher channel engagement score indicates that members are finding value in the community, make sure your leaders understand this connection. When people know why they’re doing something, they’re more likely to be aligned with the goals and more committed to achieving them.

5. Implement a System to Track and Store Your Data

Now that you know what you're measuring and why, the next step is figuring out how you'll measure it. This means setting up a centralized place to store all your data—ideally in a Google or Excel sheet where everything is easy to access and update. Developing this system can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. I created a free ERG Data Metric Collection System and template to get you started. This way, you already have a centralized place to hold all your metrics. Plus, there’s a full, free resource guide on how to implement this system into your organization. It’s all completely free and designed to make this step as seamless as possible.

6. Visualize the Data

If your data just lives in a spreadsheet, it doesn’t tell the story you need. That’s why you should bring it to life with a data visualization system—essentially, a dashboard where charts automatically update and clearly show the current state of your ERG. The goal is to have a simple, yet powerful visualization tool so that anyone who looks at your dashboard can instantly understand where your ERG program stands.

7. Use Your Dashboard Regularly

Having a dashboard is great, but it’s not enough on its own—you need to use it consistently. As an ERG Program Manager, think of yourself as the “Chief Reminder Officer.” It’s your job to regularly enforce those input expectations and provide updates on the outcome metrics. A good cadence is to check in with ERG leaders at least once a month. During these check-ins, share where they currently stand with their outcome metrics, and offer recommendations on how they can improve. This is also a great time to commend them on their progress. By doing this regularly, you set up your ERG program for success and truly take your ERG data to the next level.

And let’s not forget—when it comes time to report to executives, having this system in place is a game-changer. With an overarching program dashboard that tracks the state of your ERGs, the improvements made through strategic decisions, and how it all ties back to your program’s purpose, you can clearly demonstrate the impact and ROI of your ERG program. This is how you show that your ERG program is being run strategically and is making a real difference.

Need help getting started with your data? Schedule a time to chat with us!