What You Need to Know About Baselines and

Targets

Presentation Outline Defining Baseline data

Tips in Collecting Baseline data

Uses of baseline data

Performance Targets

Why the emphasis on targets?

Tips in Performance target setting

Defining Baseline Data A baseline is a quantifiable point from which to

begin an effort and from which change can be measured and documented.

Performance baselines reflect, as closely as possible, the value of each performance indicator at the start of USAID-supported activities that contribute to the achievement of the relevant strategic element.

The baseline of a milestone indicator describes the status at the start of the intervention. (See ADS 203.3.6)

Important Notes about Baseline Data Where baseline information is inadequate,

many IPs initiate a data collection effort

The first set of data collected on these indicators becomes, in effect, the formal baseline against which targets are set and future progress is assessed.

Uses of Baseline data It is used to assess progress towards the

achievement of goals and;

It is used to provide a comparison for assessing program impact

Important Note: Without an accurate baseline, variances may not

be detected & addressed with corrective action plans

Tip 1 Collecting Baseline data Keep it focused- Ensure

that the right data—and only the right data—is collected, that repetitions are avoided

Keep it meaningful.-Use correct measures to collect meaning and useful data

Tip 2 Keep it consistent- Data must be collected

routinely and data collection should be based on a set of agreed-upon definitions.

These definitions need to be universally understood by employees, managers, partners, suppliers, and even clients/beneficiaries

Without a yardstick, there is no measurement;

without measurement, there is no control.

Anonymous

Performance Targets Performance targets are

quantifiable estimates or expected results to be achieved within a given time frame 

It is against these targets that performance improvement will be measured. 

Types of Performance Targets

Quantitative:

- Numerical in nature

- They identify how much of a change is expected from year to year.

- Depicts an increase or decrease. (TIP Series Number 8)

Types of Performance Targets

Qualitative

- Descriptive in nature

- Qualitative information can be transformed into quantitative scales against which targets can be set

(TIP Series Number 8)

Performance targets answer….

Absolute level of achievement

Example: 7000 new jobs created

Change in level of achievement

Example: Yields Per hectare increased by 5% from 1996- 2002

Importance of setting targets

It is a standard requirement for USG funded projects

Provide justification for funding programs

Serve as guideposts for judging progress towards long term goals

Importance of targets

Provides the road map for performance improvement.

Used to learn and make changes thereby benefiting project or program

Measures the efficiency and effectiveness of improvements to project or program outcomes or outputs.

TIP 1 Setting Performance Targets Review baselines and trends

Current and/or historical performance data in the relevant areas. This information must be considered in the context of the factors that contributed to the trends and whether or not those factors will still be relevant in the future.

TIP 2

Know customer/beneficiaries expectations of progress

While targets should be set on an objective basis of what can be accomplished given certainconditions and resources, it is useful to get inputfrom customers regarding what they want, need

TIP 3

Use a collaborative approach by involving the relevant stakeholders

Experience, perspective, and expertise should be leveraged at all levels of the organization—in particular from service providers who have critical insight into what is truly possible to achieve.  This type of collaborative approach improves the chance that the relevant individuals will take ownership and be willing to be held accountable for progress.

TIP 4

Seek experts opinion and research literature

- Experts should be knowledgeable about the program area as well as about local conditions.

- Similarly, a review of development literature, especially research and evaluation findings, may help in choosing realistic targets.

TIP 5

Check Similar Program Accomplishments elsewhere

Checking progress of other IPs or other development agencies and partners achievements with similar programs and using this information to set ambitious but achievable targets is known as bench-marking.

TIP 6 Targets should be realistic & Achievable

Targets must be challenging, in that they “stretch” the organization to improve but are realistic enough to be attained. 

TIP 7

Finally

Set annual performance targets.

This approach is similar to the preceding, except it is based on judgments about what can be achieved each year, instead of starting with a final performance level and working backwards.

Thank YOU