Indicators

Indicators can be recorded, measured or analysed in order to provide a simple and reliable means to identify achievement measure the changes connected with an intervention or to help assess performance. Indicators can be

quantitative (numeric),
qualitative or
pseudo-quantitative in case a number is converted to a scale (e.g. 1 = poor, 5 = good).

Principles for the development of indicators

Valid - Does the indicator directly represent the change it is intended to measure? Is the change within the scope of the project?
Objective - Is the definition precise, simple and unambiguous about what is to be measured?
Reliable - Is the data needed to measure the indicator consistent or comparable over time?
Practical - Can data be collected easily, on a timely basis and at reasonable costs?
Useful - Will the indicator data be useful for programme decision-making and learning?
Owned - Do the local communities and programme management agree that this indicator makes sense?

SMART & SMARTER

SMART is a mnemonic/acronym, giving criteria to guide in the setting of objectives/indicators.

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound
(Evaluate)
(Reevaluate)

See Wikipedia article

Categories/Levels of indicators

Indicators are of different types / levels / purposes

Output-level indicators
Outcome-level indicators
Performance indicators
Impact-level indicators
Activity-level indicators

Examples of indicators

Indicators mentioned in the Copenhagen initiative output document

Outcomes	Indicators
Physical and Psychological Safety Reduced number of mine/ERW related accidents/incidents reported in area of operation Reduced at-risk behaviours of target population at high risk of a mine/ERW accident Increased feeling of safety among beneficiaries	Number of mine/ERW accidents/incidents Number of beneficiaries at risk of a mine/ERW related death or injury Number of reported instances of unsafe behaviour Level of awareness about mines/ERW in at-risk communities Level of concern about mines/ERW on the part of the target population Level of confidence in use of released land by target population
Land Use and Livelihoods Released land contributing to improved livelihoods Safe access to previously contaminated land Improved productive use of released land	Proportion of released land put into productive use Number of people directly benefitting from use of released land Numbers of people accessing previously blocked resources and infrastructure
National Mine Action Ownership Improved national ability to oversee, manage and implement mine action activities	Realistic estimation of mine and ERW problem Proportion of mine action activities driven by national strategy Level of national implementation capacity Level of compliance of database and information management system with national and international standards Proportion of mine action budget funded by national contribution Percentage of national staff in management and operational advisory positions

Indicators mentioned in DDG's publication on output monitoring

Objective	Indicator	Evidence to collect at baseline and impact assessment
Increase in productive use of released land	Changes in use of released land Amount of released land brought into productive use e.g. housing or agriculture and grazing land Number of men and women benefiting from released land	Describe current and former use of land Estimate the percentage of different land uses (e.g. 25 % agriculture, 30 % housing, 10 % infrastructure (roads), 20 % unused etc.) Estimate number of men and women benefiting from targeted land
Enable resettlement and return	Number of men and women resettled on released land Number of refugees and / or IDPs returning to communities benefiting from mine action	Describe current and former population in terms of IDP, refugee and host population
Improve access to markets and natural resources	Changes in infrastructure Meters to market, main road, cultural important buildings... Time spent on collecting water Number of potential users, men and women	Estimate meters to market, main road, cultural important buildings Estimate time spent on collecting water Estimate the number of potential users of infrastructure (e.g. users of roads, schools etc.)
Do no harm	Changes in the number of conflicts over land Level of equal participation in decision making over use of released land	Describe the situation e.g. the number of and nature of conflicts over land in the target area Describe the decision making process focusing both on men and women
Reduced violence and conflict	Number of people who have had a violent encounter Men, women and children’s perceptions of the level of armed violence	Estimate the ratio of violent encounters e.g. in the past twelve months Perceived level of armed violence amongst the people today
Reduced threats from explosive remnants of war	Number of accidents (human and domestic animals) Number of people who worry about accidents with mines or remnants of war (feeling of safety) Level of knowledge on mine risks among the population Number of identified private owners of explosive remnants of war	Number of accidents, men, women, children, animals Number of people who say they worry about accidents with mines or remnants of war Estimate awareness of mines and UXO in the population, disaggregate by gender and age Estimate number of identified private owners of explosive remnants of war
Improved security provision and conflict management	Level of trust in policy Change in the percentage of people willing to report incidents of armed violence Formation of local strategies for armed violence prevention and reduction	Measure community willingness to report Incidents of armed violence to police Number of local initiatives to counter armed violence
Reduced treats from SALW	Number of firearm related accidents Percentage of people who say they worry about firearms	Estimate number of firearm related accidents

References (external links)

UN M&E framework for mine action UN Survey Instrument
Feinstein International Center: Participatory Impact Assessment: A Design Guide
World Health Organization: A Handbook of Indicators and their Measurement Strategies
Mikkel Nedergaard (DDG): The Journal of ERW and Mine Action, 2014Outcome Monitoring in Humanitarian Mine Action
Miscellaneous links/resources related to Outcome Mapping