What makes a good indicator?

Indicators should be relevant, specific and (where possible) measurable and timetabled to be gathered at key time points in the project.
 
An indicator should:
 

• Count or describe a change within ’the system’ of your project.
• Be relevant to what your project is doing or trying to achieve.
• Be specific (not vague).
• If possible, be measurable.
• Mention key timepoints where data is to be gathered.
• It may also need baseline data (before project started) to compare to.

Types of indicators

 
Indicators can measure activity, outputs, outcomes or impacts.
 

 
Impacts are generally hardest to measure.  Activities are usually the easiest.   But which are most important to assess?