Translating Economic Impact Analysis into Decision-Ready Insight
Economic impact analysis is often used to inform high-stakes policy, business, and community decisions—but model results are frequently misunderstood, over-interpreted, or communicated without sufficient context. My work in this area focuses on helping users move beyond model execution to responsible interpretation and decision-ready insight.
The challenge
Input–output models like IMPLAN are powerful tools, but they come with important assumptions and limitations that are not always well understood by end users or stakeholders. Common challenges include:
- Treating model outputs as forecasts rather than scenario-based estimates
- Misinterpreting multipliers or aggregate impacts
- Applying models outside their appropriate use cases
- Communicating results without sufficient explanation of assumptions or uncertainty
Left unaddressed, these issues can undermine trust in economic analysis and lead to poor or misleading decisions.
My role and approach
As Director of Education Services at IMPLAN, I focus on translating economic impact modeling results into guidance that decision-makers can use responsibly. Rather than emphasizing model mechanics, my work centers on interpretation, context, and judgment.
This includes:
- Developing educational materials that explain what economic impact results do—and do not—represent
- Clarifying model assumptions, scope, and limitations in accessible language
- Providing guidance on appropriate framing and communication of results for non-technical audiences
- Helping users distinguish between analytical insight and advocacy
The goal is not to simplify the economics, but to make it usable without distorting its meaning.
What this work supports
This effort supports a wide range of real-world decision contexts, including:
- Public policy evaluation and program justification
- Business site selection and expansion analysis
- Community and regional economic development initiatives
- Stakeholder communication and reporting
By improving interpretation and communication, this work helps ensure that economic impact analysis informs decisions with clarity, credibility, and restraint.
Why this matters
Responsible use of economic models is as important as technical correctness. When economic impact analysis is misapplied or overstated, the consequences extend beyond a single study—affecting institutional credibility, public trust, and downstream decisions.
This work reflects my broader approach to applied economics:
rigorous analysis paired with clear explanation, appropriate caveats, and decision-focused judgment.