Social impact management plans good for communities
When a major project completes its social impact assessment (SIA), it can be tempting to see that as the finish line. But it’s only the start of meaningful social performance.
A well-prepared social impact management plan (SIMP) is where the commitments, predictions and good intentions captured in the SIA are turned into measurable, accountable actions. It’s the roadmap for ensuring social impacts are not only understood, but actively managed, monitored and reported throughout a project’s life.
Our Principal Engagement and Social Planning Alysia Bradshaw explains.
Turning insight into implementation
Social impact assessments help identify the potential social risks and opportunities of a project – from workforce impacts and housing pressures to community cohesion and local business participation. But without a management plan, these insights risk becoming static documents rather than drivers of positive change.
A SIMP ensures:
mitigation measures are implemented, such as local hiring strategies or housing support programs
ongoing monitoring and evaluation using clear indicators to track how communities are experiencing the project over time
transparent reporting providing regulators, stakeholders and communities with confidence that commitments are being delivered
In this way, the SIMP acts as a living framework that evolves as projects progress and social conditions shift.
Measuring what matters: social benefits and social value
Increasingly, governments and project proponents across Australia are looking beyond mitigation to how projects can create social value. This includes tangible benefits such as local employment, training, and business opportunities, as well as intangible outcomes like improved community wellbeing, partnerships and trust.
To demonstrate social value, a SIMP should:
define social benefit objectives that align with community priorities
include measurable indicators for both positive and negative impacts
use feedback loops such as surveys, engagement forums and partnerships to check whether initiatives are having the intended outcomes
By doing so, organisations can demonstrate that their projects are creating a positive legacy that will be around long after construction ends
The Onward approach
At Onward, we see social impact management plans as an opportunity to strengthen relationships, deliver genuine community benefit and build trust in the industries shaping Australia’s future.
Our team works with clients across energy, resources and infrastructure to design and implement SIMPs that are practical, data-driven and aligned with community expectations. We help translate assessment findings into clear commitments, supported by meaningful indicators that capture the real social value being created.
Because when managed well, social performance isn’t just a compliance exercise; it’s good business, good governance, and good for communities.
