Indicators Explained

Indicators are the metrics that tell us how we will know success when we see it by providing evidence that a certain condition exists or defined results have or have not been achieved.
Indicators are developed during the pre-implementation phase.
They are concise descriptions that summarize what to capture for a specific data point.
Input indicators measure resources, for example people, books or tests provided as a project activity.
Process indicators measure the activities within a project.
Output indicators measure the products or results of the project’s activities.
Outcome indicators measure the specific changes resulting from the completion of the project outputs.
Lastly, impact indicators assess the impact the project has on its intended target population and the longer-term benefits.
Effective indicators are S.M.A.R.T. Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Or …. be a RACER where indicators are
Relevant
Accepted by staff and stakeholders
Credible for non experts
Easy to monitor and collect data at a low cost
Robust and Reliable
Indicators capture data that is quantitative or qualitative, depending on the method of data collection.
Indicators must have a specified time frame.
When setting indicators for a specific result we often aim for three with each indicator providing a different perspective combining qualitative with quantitative measures.
Select indicators for which data collection mechanisms and systems already exist.
Use cost effective indicators in line with the resources you have to collect the data.
Consider disaggregation such as rural versus urban.
Indicators are the metrics that tell us how we will know success when we see it by providing evidence that a certain condition exists or defined results have or have not been achieved.
Indicators are developed during the pre-implementation phase.
They are concise descriptions that summarize what to capture for a specific data point.
Input indicators measure resources, for example people, books or tests provided as a project activity.
Process indicators measure the activities within a project.
Output indicators measure the products or results of the project’s activities.
Outcome indicators measure the specific changes resulting from the completion of the project outputs.
Lastly, impact indicators assess the impact the project has on its intended target population and the longer-term benefits.
Effective indicators are S.M.A.R.T. Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Or …. be a RACER where indicators are
Relevant
Accepted by staff and stakeholders
Credible for non experts
Easy to monitor and collect data at a low cost
Robust and Reliable
Indicators capture data that is quantitative or qualitative, depending on the method of data collection.
Indicators must have a specified time frame.
When setting indicators for a specific result we often aim for three with each indicator providing a different perspective combining qualitative with quantitative measures.
Select indicators for which data collection mechanisms and systems already exist.
Use cost effective indicators in line with the resources you have to collect the data.
Consider disaggregation such as rural versus urban.
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