1. M&E TRAINING MODULES
Indicators

2. INDICATORS An indicator is a measure
that is used to demonstrate change in a situation,
or the progress in, or results of an activity,
project, or programme.
Indicators:
are measures used to demonstrate changes over time;
point to the results;
enable us to be “watchdogs”;
are essential instruments for monitoring and evaluation.

3. INDICATORS: TYPES Indicators exist in many different forms:
Direct indicators correspond precisely to results at any performance level.
Indirect or "proxy" indicators demonstrate the change or results if direct measures are not feasible.
Direct
Indirect / proxy
Indicators are usually quantitative measures, expressed as percentage or share, as a rate, as a ratio.
Indicators may also be qualitative observations.
Qualitative
Quantitative
Global / standardised
Standardised global indicators are comparable in all settings.
Other indicators tend to be context specific and must be developed locally.
Locally developed

4. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Impact
Performance indicators:
are measures that show results relative to what was planned at each level of the "results chain".
Outcome
Output
are tools for performance-based decisions about programme strategies and activities.
can also be used later to evaluate project/programme success.
Process
Input

5. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Impact
Impact
Measure the quality and quantity of long-term results generated by programme outputs.
Outcome
Outcome
Measure the intermediate results generated by programme outputs. They often correspond to any change in people’s behaviour as a result of programme.
Output
Output
Measure the quantity, quality and timeliness of the products — goods or services — that are the result of an activity/project/programme.
Process
Process
Measure the progress of activities in a programme/project and the way these are carried out .
Input
Input
Measure the quantity, quality and timeliness of resources provided for an activity/project/programme.

6. EXAMPLE Impact Impact Outcome Outcome Output Output Process Process
Reduction in morbidity and mortality
Proportion of target population who meet prescribed standards of behaviour
Outcome
Outcome
Number whose behaviour change
Output
Output
Number whose opinions change
Number who learn the facts
Process
Process
Number who read the literature
Number of people who receive the literature
Input
Input
Amount of literature distributed
Number of pieces of literature available for distribution