13.4 Results framework and key performance indicators

M&E is about measuring progress towards achieving the stated objectives of a programme. For the OWNP, the objectives are itemised in a results framework which sets out in detail the outputs, outcomes and impacts for each component of the Programme. A results framework is a compilation, usually in a diagram or table, of the expected results from a project or programme. It presents a summary picture of the main targets.

The OWNP results framework includes specific targets for the four components of the Programme. As an illustration, Table 13.2 is a small extract from the OWNP results framework that shows the target outputs for improved water supply for the three main components.

Table 13.2  Extract from the OWNP results framework showing the number of new facilities the Programme aims to provide. (OWNP, 2013)
Rural and pastoralist WASH
55,865 conventional and 42,529 self-supply water facilities constructed
20,010 water schemes rehabilitated
Improved functionality of water supplies
Urban and peri-urban WASH
777 feasibility study and design reports prepared
777 water supply systems constructed/rehabilitated/expanded
Institutional WASH
22,342 primary and 643 secondary school improved water supply facilities provided
7772 water supply facilities constructed in health institutions

The complete results framework has similarly precise targets for other intended outcomes of the Programme (see OWNP, pp.144–148).

  • Why is a results framework useful for M&E?

  • One of the purposes of M&E is for tracking progress towards meeting project targets so a results framework helps by clearly showing what those targets are.

The people and organisations responsible for monitoring use indicators to assess how well a project is doing and to what extent targets have been met. An indicator is something that can be seen or measured or counted, which provides evidence of progress towards a target. The terms ‘performance indicator’ or key performance indicator (KPI) are often used by organisations to describe the most important measures of their performance in terms of meeting their strategic and operational goals.

The OWNP has different KPIs for different aspects of the programme. There are KPIs for access to water, functionality of water supply schemes, water quality, access to sanitation, access to handwashing facilities, WASH provision in schools and health facilities, management, gender representation, equity, capital costs and O&M costs. To illustrate the KPIs, we have selected an extract from the OWNP Programme Operational Manual, reproduced in Table 13.3. This shows the data required at woreda or town/city level to assess one performance indicator for WASH provision in schools. The indicator is the percentage of schools with improved access to water supply with at least one tap for every 50 students.

Table 13.3  Performance indicator: ‘Percentage of schools with improved access to water supply – ratio of tap to student 1:50’. Data collection required at woreda and town/city level. (POM, 2014)
ParameterRequired dataData collected
Input

Procurement of contractor for:

School WASH facility construction that takes women, girls and disabled groups’ preferences into consideration

Progress in the procurement process for each bid
Rehabilitation of water supply facilities and latrines at primary and secondary schoolsStages of construction: percentage completion of rehabilitation of WASH facility at primary and secondary schools for each contract
Construction of new water supply facilities and latrines at primary and secondary schoolsStages of construction: %age completion of new construction of WASH facility at primary and secondary schools for each contract
OutputRehabilitated water supply facilities at primary and secondary schoolsNumber of schools with existing water supply facilities rehabilitated
New water supply facilities at primary and secondary schoolsNumber of schools with new water supply facilities
OutcomeImproved access to water supply in schools – ratio of tap to student of 1:50.Number of schools having access to water supply with a tap to student ratio of 1:50.

You should be aware that the extract in Table 13.3 is just a very small part of the full range of data collection required for monitoring of the OWNP implementation and progress towards meeting the targets. As you will realise from your study of this Module, the size and scale of the OWNP means that M&E of its progress and achievements will be a significant and continuing activity into the future.

13.3 National WASH Inventory and WASH Management Information System

Summary of Study Session 13