28/06/2020
Basic concepts in monitoring and evaluation
Activity
Actions taken or work performed through which inputs, such as funds, technical assistance and other types of resources, are mobilized to produce specific outputs.
Inputs
The financial, human, material, technological and information resources used for development interventions.
Performance indicator
A performance indicator is a unit of measurement that specifies what is to be measured along a scale or dimension but does not indicate the direction or change. Performance indicators area qualitative or quantitative means of measuring an output or outcome, with the intention of gauging the performance of a programme or investment.
Baseline
Information gathered at the beginning of a project or programme against which variations that occur in the project or programme are measured.
Target
Specifies a particular value that an indicator should reach by a specific date in the future. For example, “total literacy rate to reach 85 percent among groups X and Y by the year 2010.”
Benchmark
Reference point or standard, including norms, against which progress or achievements can be assessed. A benchmark refers to the performance that has been achieved in the recent past by other comparable organizations, or what can be reasonably expected to have been achieved in similar circumstances.
Results framework or matrix
A results framework or matrix explains how results are to be achieved, including causal relationships and underlying assumptions and risks. The results framework reflects strategic level thinking across an entire organization, a country programme, a programme component within a country programme, or a project.
Performance
The degree to which a development intervention or a development partner operates according to specific criteria/standard/guidelines or achieves results in accordance with stated plans.
Performance monitoring
A continuous process of collecting and analyzing data for performance indicators, to compare how well a development intervention, partnership or policy reform is being implemented against expected results (achievement of outputs and progress toward outcomes).
