Impact assessment

An impact assessment (IA) is "a process aimed at structuring and supporting the development of policies. It identifies and assesses the problem at stake and the objectives pursued. It identifies the main options for achieving the objective and analyses their likely impacts in the economic, environmental and social fields. It outlines advantages and disadvantages of each option and examines possible synergies and trade-offs".

Two key related areas of work within this field include Social impact assessment and Environmental impact assessment.

See also

• Social impact assessment
• Environmental impact assessment
• Life Cycle Impact Assessment
• Policy studies
• Policy analysis
• Participatory Impact Pathways Analysis
• Program evaluation
• Impact evaluation

External links

• International Association for Impact Assessment (main source)
• Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal (a journal)
• Impact Assessment Page at the European Commission
• IAIA Wiki