Beyond mere attendance numbers, what specific type of metric provides a robust indicator of the quality and influence of community input on decisions?

The specific type of metric that provides a robust indicator of the quality and influence of community input on decisions is the Degree of Input Incorporation. This metric quantifies the extent to which specific recommendations, concerns, or ideas originating from community members are demonstrably included, adopted, or directly addressed in the final policy, program, or project decision. It moves beyond mere attendance by analyzing the substance of the input, which speaks to its quality, and its impact on the decision, which demonstrates influence. To measure this, community input, which refers to the information, perspectives, feedback, and recommendations provided by individuals or groups from the community, is first meticulously documented, identifying actionable items or distinct proposals. These identified input points are then systematically compared against the final approved decision or outcome. The measurement involves assessing how many of these specific community-generated elements are fully adopted, partially adopted, or rejected with a clear, documented rationale that acknowledges the input. For instance, if a community proposes specific design modifications for a new public building, the Degree of Input Incorporation would measure how many of those modifications are reflected in the final approved architectural plans, thereby indicating the influence of the community's input on the decision.