Types of indicators

Types of indicators

 
Indicators can measure inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes or impacts.
 

 
Process indicators are what we call indicators that measure the project implementation, for example inputs, activities and outputs (e.g. number of trees planted or people trained). They are useful for showing that project activities are taking place, but they do not tell us much about the outcomes or impact of the project.
 
Impact indicators measure the project changes that occur in people’s lives or the environment or local economy as a result of the project’s activities – the end result. They can be qualitative or quantitative.
 
A proxy indicator is an indirect measure that approximates a value when direct measurement is difficult, impractical, or impossible. An example is testing knowledge gained from a training course in place of assessing whether or not the new knowledge is used. Proxy indicators can be useful and easy to quantify, but we should exercise caution both when deciding to use them (could we instead measure the outcome directly?) and also when interpreting them (what are we assuming will also happen?).
 
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Indicators
Indicators can be quantitative, such as increased food production, increase to household income, number of trees planted, or qualitative, such as improved skills or knowledge, happier communities, wellbeing, security, hope, trust, confidence, social cohesion or family stability.

 
Action Learning Reflection Question: Impacts are generally hardest to measure.  Activities are usually the easiest.   But which are most important to assess?