Indicators and Their Usage
In very simple and non-technical language, an indicator is “that which indicates” something. Let us look at some examples from our day-to-day life. Cars have indicators; they indicate if the car is about to turn to the left or to the right. They can also indicate that the car is on reverse motion, or slowing down and so on. So an indicator simply indicates something. There are numerous gadgets bearing LED lights in red, amber, green, etc. They also indicate certain things about the way the gadget is functioning. There are many other indicators that we use but have never really thought of them as indicators. When you suspect that your child is not doing well, you check if his/her eyes are watering, feel his/her forehead to see if it’s warm and so on. Even when you are going out on a picnic, you look at the sky to see if it’s cloudy or clear. These things indicate either how things are, or how they are going to be. Therefore, these are all different types of indicators.
When we narrow down to the area of development programs/projects, an indicator is something that either shows a measure/degree/quantum or shows a status/type/quality. However, indicators, as the term tells, only indicate. The measure of an indicator cannot be considered absolutely accurate due to statistical limitations. Since mostly statistical methods are applied in order to measure indicators, they are bound by some limitations. But the good news is that, they also come with calculable degrees of error. Therefore the results of such measurements can be trusted to a very high degree and can be used for practical programmatic purposes.
According to types, indicators can be either quantitative or qualitative. And according to levels in the Logical Framework, they can be of output, outcome or even goal level indicators. For M&E purposes, there can be Monitoring Indicators (at the output level) and Evaluation Indicators (at the outcome level).
As per many experts in the area of development programs, indicators should be SMART
S – Specific (Should not be combination of multiple things. Very precise and focused)
M – Measurable (There should be a practical and undisputed means of measuring)
A – Achievable (Not something that is beyond our means for achieving)
R – Realistic (Something that is not vague and hardly means anything sensible)
T – Time Bound (Should not take into account the situation over an indefinite period)
Quick Links:
Quantitative & Qualitative Indicators
Monitoring Indicators & Evaluation Indicators
When we narrow down to the area of development programs/projects, an indicator is something that either shows a measure/degree/quantum or shows a status/type/quality. However, indicators, as the term tells, only indicate. The measure of an indicator cannot be considered absolutely accurate due to statistical limitations. Since mostly statistical methods are applied in order to measure indicators, they are bound by some limitations. But the good news is that, they also come with calculable degrees of error. Therefore the results of such measurements can be trusted to a very high degree and can be used for practical programmatic purposes.
According to types, indicators can be either quantitative or qualitative. And according to levels in the Logical Framework, they can be of output, outcome or even goal level indicators. For M&E purposes, there can be Monitoring Indicators (at the output level) and Evaluation Indicators (at the outcome level).
As per many experts in the area of development programs, indicators should be SMART
S – Specific (Should not be combination of multiple things. Very precise and focused)
M – Measurable (There should be a practical and undisputed means of measuring)
A – Achievable (Not something that is beyond our means for achieving)
R – Realistic (Something that is not vague and hardly means anything sensible)
T – Time Bound (Should not take into account the situation over an indefinite period)
Quick Links:
Quantitative & Qualitative Indicators
Monitoring Indicators & Evaluation Indicators