Types of indicators in

10 Monitoring and evaluation (M&E)

Definition: Input indicators measure the resources and inputs

required to deliver a program or project, assessing investment and
efficiency. These indicators focus on the inputs needed for program
implementation.
Examples: Budget, personnel, materials, equipment, time.
1. Input indicators
When to Use: Use input indicators when you need to evaluate
resource allocation and the efficiency of resource utilization within
the program.
When Not to Use: Avoid relying solely on input indicators for
measuring program success, as they do not measure program
outcomes or impact.

Definition: Output indicators measure the immediate products or

services produced by a program, helping to track progress and assess
program effectiveness. These indicators highlight the tangible results
of program activities.
Examples: Number of beneficiaries, quantity of products, timeliness,
quality, satisfaction.
2. Output Indicators
When to Use: Utilize output indicators to assess the immediate
results and effectiveness of program implementation. They are
particularly valuable for tracking progress toward program goals.

When Not to Use: Avoid using output indicators as the sole

measure for long-term impact evaluation, as they primarily focus on
immediate, tangible results.

Definition: Outcome indicators measure specific changes in

behaviour, knowledge, skills, attitudes, or conditions that result from
a program. They provide insights into program effectiveness by
examining the impact on participants.
Examples: Changes in knowledge, behaviour, skills, attitudes, or
conditions.
3. Outcome Indicators
When to Use: Outcome indicators are essential for assessing the
effectiveness of a program in achieving its intended results. They
help gauge the extent of change by the program.
When Not to Use: Avoid relying solely on outcome indicators for
measuring efficiency, as they focus on measuring changes rather
than resource utilization.

Definition: Process indicators measure the quality and efficiency of

program implementation by focusing on adherence to established
procedures and guidelines. They provide insights into how well a
program is being implemented.

Examples: Timeliness of implementation, adherence to

procedures, quality of services, stakeholder engagement.
4. Process Indicators
When to Use: Use process indicators to evaluate the quality and
efficiency of program implementation, ensuring adherence to
established standards and procedures.

When Not to Use: Process indicators should not be the sole focus
for measuring program impact, as they primarily assess
implementation quality rather than program outcomes.
 Definition: Impact indicators measure the long-term and sustainable
effects of a program on its target population or environment. They
provide insights into the overall success of the program in achieving
lasting change.

Examples: Changes in health or economic outcomes, behavior,

policy changes.
5. Impact Indicators
When to Use: Impact indicators are essential for assessing the
lasting impact and effectiveness of a program. They help in
understanding the program's overall success.
When Not to Use: Recognize that impact indicators can be
challenging to measure, and they may not provide insights into
day-to-day program operations. They are not designed for
assessing immediate results.

Definition: Efficiency indicators measure cost-effectiveness and

resource utilization. They assess whether the resources invested in a
program or project are being used efficiently to achieve the desired
outcomes.
Examples: Cost per unit of output, time required, resource
utilization rates, cost savings, productivity.

6. Efficiency Indicators
When to Use: Use efficiency indicators to optimize resource
allocation and assess the cost-effectiveness of the program.

When Not to Use: Avoid using efficiency indicators as the sole

measure of program effectiveness, as they primarily focus on
resource use rather than program outcomes and impact.

Definition: Effectiveness indicators measure the extent to which a

program is achieving its intended outcomes or objectives. They
assess whether the program is producing the desired results and
meeting the needs of its target population.
Examples: Coverage, reach, participation, knowledge,
attitudes, behaviour change, quality, client satisfaction.
7. Effectiveness
Indicators
When to Use: Utilize effectiveness indicators to assess how
well a program achieves its goals and meets the needs of
its target population.
When Not to Use: Avoid relying solely on effectiveness
indicators for assessing resource allocation and efficiency,
as they focus on measuring program outcomes rather than
resource use.

Definition: Performance indicators measure the overall

performance and quality of program operations. They help in
monitoring the staff and participant performance.
Examples: Percentage of program participants who
complete the program, staff meeting performance targets,
complaints received.
8. Performance
Indicators When to Use: Use performance indicators to assess the
overall quality of program operations and to ensure that
the program is meeting its objectives.

When Not to Use: Recognize that performance indicators

do not provide detailed insights into program outcomes
and impact, as their focus is on the quality of operations.
 Definition: Context indicators measure external factors influencing
the program, such as demographics, politics, environment, and
social and cultural factors. They provide insights into the program's
external context.
Examples: Demographic indicators, political indicators,
environmental indicators, social and cultural indicators.
9. Context Indicators
When to Use: Use context indicators when adapting the
program to the local context and understanding the
external influences on the program's success.

When Not to Use: Context indicators should not replace

impact or effectiveness indicators for assessing program
success, as they primarily focus on external factors.

Definition: Sustainability indicators measure the program's

likelihood of long-term viability and assess its capacity to continue
operating effectively after external support has ended.
Examples: Institutional capacity, community involvement,
financial sustainability, policy and regulatory support,
environmental sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability.
10. Sustainability
Indicators When to Use: Utilize sustainability indicators to assess if a
program can continue operating effectively in the long
term and to ensure that resources are invested in programs
likely to have a lasting impact.

When Not to Use: Recognize that sustainability indicators

may not provide insights into immediate program results or
outcomes.