Assessment Framework: Information Gathering
When applying the PACER framework, we need to gather information across 4 distinct areas.
Impact sector and boundary
Dependencies on other factors
Scale of impact
Implementation success risks
1. Impact sector or boundary
A sample of the questions we ask to capture the information required...
Is the research impact standalone or are there multiple points of impact?
What are the actions and impacts from implementation?
What sectors will use the research?
2. Scale of impact
A sample of the questions we ask to capture the information required...
What does the causal chain for potential GHG reductions look like?
What is the certainty of the predicted reductions?
What is the size of the market?
3. Implementation success risks
A sample of the questions we ask to capture the information required...
Does implementation align with other sector drivers?
Is there need for behaviour change?
Are there potential rebound effects?
4. Dependencies on other factors
A sample of the questions we ask to capture the information required...
Is the carbon emission reduction linked to external factors?
Could emission reduction be reduced due to other drivers?
Quiz...
Have a go at the short quiz to identify the correct information gathering for the following project. Shower head example - avoided carbon assessment A company develops a new shower head that uses less water and energy than the ones currently on the market.
You have now completed this activity. Click the Next button in Canvas to continue.
For the scale of impact, the questions are trying to define the impacts and size of the potential market or implementation remit. It’s thinking realistically about how much uptake there will be for the outputs of the research. If we refer back to the shower head example, the market for a new shower head isn't realistically every single residential property in the UK, but it's maybe a proportion of them based on how frequently people replace their shower heads.
For implementation success risks, the next set of questions will explore future uncertainty through understanding risk factors in implementation.
So, what are the reasons that you wouldn't be able to implement this? Where are the risk factors in realising the full range potential benefits? Are there potential rebound effects? Returning to our shower head example, could knowing that a new shower head is more water efficient mean people take longer showers as so the full potential energy and water savings are not made a reality?
For the dependencies on other factors, the final questions will incorporate external factors and uncertainties over time. What are the interdependencies on other factors, other sectors, other policies? Is there a policy that it interacts with which may amplify how well it is implemented or how well it penetrates that market or are there factors that might limit that?
The aim is to set the boundary of the system and define the ways in which the research outputs interact with this system. For example, will the research have reach at national or international level. Will it create a new technology or is it a new way of working.
Assessment Framework: Information Gathering
Sarah Gomes
Created on January 2, 2026
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Vision Board
View
Periodic Table
View
SWOT Challenge: Classify Key Factors
View
Explainer Video: Keys to Effective Communication
View
Explainer Video: AI for Companies
View
Corporate CV
View
Flow Presentation
Explore all templates
Transcript
Assessment Framework: Information Gathering
When applying the PACER framework, we need to gather information across 4 distinct areas.
Impact sector and boundary
Dependencies on other factors
Scale of impact
Implementation success risks
1. Impact sector or boundary
A sample of the questions we ask to capture the information required...
Is the research impact standalone or are there multiple points of impact?
What are the actions and impacts from implementation?
What sectors will use the research?
2. Scale of impact
A sample of the questions we ask to capture the information required...
What does the causal chain for potential GHG reductions look like?
What is the certainty of the predicted reductions?
What is the size of the market?
3. Implementation success risks
A sample of the questions we ask to capture the information required...
Does implementation align with other sector drivers?
Is there need for behaviour change?
Are there potential rebound effects?
4. Dependencies on other factors
A sample of the questions we ask to capture the information required...
Is the carbon emission reduction linked to external factors?
Could emission reduction be reduced due to other drivers?
Quiz...
Have a go at the short quiz to identify the correct information gathering for the following project. Shower head example - avoided carbon assessment A company develops a new shower head that uses less water and energy than the ones currently on the market.
You have now completed this activity. Click the Next button in Canvas to continue.
For the scale of impact, the questions are trying to define the impacts and size of the potential market or implementation remit. It’s thinking realistically about how much uptake there will be for the outputs of the research. If we refer back to the shower head example, the market for a new shower head isn't realistically every single residential property in the UK, but it's maybe a proportion of them based on how frequently people replace their shower heads.
For implementation success risks, the next set of questions will explore future uncertainty through understanding risk factors in implementation. So, what are the reasons that you wouldn't be able to implement this? Where are the risk factors in realising the full range potential benefits? Are there potential rebound effects? Returning to our shower head example, could knowing that a new shower head is more water efficient mean people take longer showers as so the full potential energy and water savings are not made a reality?
For the dependencies on other factors, the final questions will incorporate external factors and uncertainties over time. What are the interdependencies on other factors, other sectors, other policies? Is there a policy that it interacts with which may amplify how well it is implemented or how well it penetrates that market or are there factors that might limit that?
The aim is to set the boundary of the system and define the ways in which the research outputs interact with this system. For example, will the research have reach at national or international level. Will it create a new technology or is it a new way of working.