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

As noted in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, Section 621A, 22 U.S.C. 2381a, foreign aid funds could be utilized more effectively by the adoption of methods for comparing actual results of programs and projects with those anticipated when they were undertaken.

ADS 203.3.4 notes that missions/offices must include performance indicators in their performance management plans, and states that performance indicators are used to observe progress and to measure actual results compared with expected results and to help answer how or if a USAID mission/office or assistance objective team is progressing toward its objective. Performance indicators may measure performance at any level from outputs to the goals of the project.

Furthermore, according to ADS 203.3.4.7, it is expected that, over the life cycle of a project, different types of indicators will be more informative at different times: In the early stages, output indicators will be the primary source of performance information; at later stages, outcome and impact indicators will be more important.

General Recommendations

• Develop performance indicators and targets to measure progress and achievement of the project goals.

Source: AUDIT REPORT NO. 9-000-10-002-P December 10, 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.