C – Collaboration. Collaboration remains a valuable component of an organization’s capabilities. Collaboration goes beyond the realm of in-house partners. Rather, it should include outside organizations that may contribute to the overall mission, while adding to their own impact. Collaborators are the individuals, organizations, vendors, partners, volunteers, funders and donors who contribute to the defined objective.

H – Humanity. Humanity defines the community served, volunteers engaged, employees and suppliers for the overall mission, program, project or grant request. The goal for human-focused organizations should result in game changing impact. Humanity refers to the recipients and human inputs for the defined objective.

I – Impact. Impact defines the desired output for organizational programs, projects and proposals. It is the heart, soul and mission objective. Impact embodies the organizational accomplishment. This is the game-changer. Impact is the desired result of the defined objective.

P – Progress.  Progress refers to two necessary components. Firstly, it is the advancement and implementation of the project or program, such as milestones and successes within the project timeline. Milestones are specific goals that must be attained in order to create the desired impact for humanity and engage the collaborators. Secondly, progress is the progression (exact steps) required to meet the goals.  Progress defines the steps in a specified time frame of the defined objective.

S – Sustainability.  The final aspect of the C.H.I.P.S.® is the ability to maintain the desired impact beyond the present circumstances, period of performance or management personnel. A sustainable organization, project and program will not be dependent on key employees or certain grants through the entire course of its life cycle.  Sustainability is the evaluation aspect of the defined objective.