Q

Q.30. What are performance indicators?

Performance indicators are yardsticks by which outputs and impact are measured. For example, to measure the performance of a training centre the indicators of performance would be:

· The number of participants trained.

· Participants’ evaluation of the course.

· Percentage of courses that have been conducted on schedule.

‘Outputs’ are goods and services produced by an activity. An activity’s final outputs are the goods or services delivered to the beneficiary of the service. For example, the provision of dental services is an output delivered to a patient who seeks treatment at a government dental clinic.

Such an output requires no further processing and is in its final state. Should an output require further processing, then that would constitute an intermediate output. For example, registration of outpatients for treatment would represent an intermediate output, while the number of outpatients treated would be the final output.

Intermediate outputs are relevant as they signify the quantum of workload. They ought to be included in the budget document (program statement) if their quantities do not coincide with those of the final outputs. For example, the number of registered patients would normally coincide with the number treated. In such cases, it would suffice if we were to simply measure the numbers treated. However, the number of applications for licences processed may not coincide with the number of applications approved and issued. In such cases, it would be accurate to account for both the intermediate output – that is the number of applications processed – and the final output – the total number of licences issued.

Impact indicators describe the contribution an activity makes to the achievement of its objectives. This impact necessarily flows from, and is a consequence of, the final outputs and services produced by an activity. This is illustrated in Figure below:

Figure

Relationship between Output and Impact

Ministry of Planning

30/9/03