International Development and Programs (Development Work) - International Development and Programs (Development Work)

According to USAID’s ADS 203.3.5.1, to be useful in managing for results and credible for reporting, operating units should ensure that the performance data in the mission’s performance management plan meet data quality standards, such as validity, integrity, precision and reliability.

To meet the standard of validity, performance data should clearly and adequately represent the intended result. To meet the integrity standard, data that are collected, analyzed, and reported should have established mechanisms in place to reduce the possibility that data might be intentionally manipulated.

The precision standard requires that data be sufficiently precise to present a fair picture of performance and enable decision-making. The reliability standard requires that data reflect stable and consistent data collection methods over time and that operating units be confident that progress toward performance targets reflects real changes rather than variations in data collection methods.

Additionally, according to USAID’s Guidebook for Managers and Cognizant Technical Officers on Acquisition and Assistance, the agreement officer’s technical representatives[1] are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all reports submitted by their implementers.

[1] In January 2009, USAID’s guidance replaced the term “cognizant technical officer” with “agreement officer’s technical representative,” for use in grants and cooperative agreements.

General Recommendations

• Review the performance management plan on an annual or semiannual basis to ensure that it contributes to an effective system of measuring progress toward intended objectives.

• Develop and implement procedures to periodically conduct an independent review of the performance data submitted by implementers.

Source: AUDIT REPORT NO. 5-492-10-001-P October 9, 2009.

The recommendations are derived from audit reports of the Office of the Inspector General. The source refers to the audit report, which is available on this site as part of the Audit Database Project: an educational tool for compliance with USAID regulations.  Please see the disclaimer of this site before using recommendations.