The document defines an indicator as a measurable characteristic that demonstrates progress toward specific outcomes in program monitoring and evaluation. It emphasizes the importance of having clear, valid, reliable, and measurable indicators for effective program assessment and categorizes indicators into direct/indirect and input/process/results types. Additionally, it outlines the levels of results indicators, including output, outcome, and impact indicators.

1. Indicators
IN CONTEXT OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION

2. What is an indicator?
“An Indicator is a specific, observable and
measurable characteristic that can be used to
show changes or progress a program is
making toward achieving a specific
output/outcome”.

3. While setting indicators…
 There should be at least one indicator for each output or
outcome.
 The indicator should be focused, clear and specific.
 The change measured by the indicator should represent
progress that the program hopes to make.
 An indicator should be defined in precise, unambiguous
terms that describe clearly and exactly what is being
measured.

4. Characteristics of good indicators
 Valid: accurate measure of a behavior, practice, task that is the
expected output or outcome of the intervention
 Reliable: consistently measurable over time, in the same way by
different observers
 Precise: operationally defined in clear terms
 Measurable: quantifiable using available tools and methods
 Timely: provides a measurement at time intervals relevant and
appropriate in terms of program goals and activities
 Programmatically important: linked to the program or to achieving
the program objectives

5. Types of Indicators
There are mainly two types of indicators
1) Direct Indicators
2) Indirect/Proxy indicators

6. Types of Indicators…
Direct Indicator:
Direct Indicators are measurements that describe the direct
change that results from a program intervention
Indirect Indicators:
Indirect Indicators are measurements that may or may not
have resulted directly from an intervention

7. Levels of Indicators
There are three levels of indicators
1. Input indicators
2. Process Indicators
3. Results indicators

8.  Input indicators:
Input indicators refer to the resources needed for the
implementation of an activity or intervention
 Process indicators:
Indicators used to monitor the number and types of
carried out are known as the Process Indicators.
 Results Indicators:
Indicator used to evaluate whether or not the activity
achieved the intended objectives or results are known as
the Results Indicators.
Levels of Indicators…

9. Levels of Results Indicators
Results indicators can be developed at the output, outcome and impact
levels.
 Output Indicators:
Output indicators illustrate the immediate change related directly
to the activities undertaken within the program
 Outcome Indicators:
Outcome indicators relate to change that is demonstrated as a
result of the program interventions in the medium-to- longer term
 Impact Indicators:
Impact indicators measure the long-term effect of program
interventions

10. Thank you