What is an indicator?

If we want to track intended changes resulting from our projects, we will need indicators.
 
Indicators are specific and concrete pieces of information that enable us to track the changes that we are trying to achieve.
 
We can use indicators to measure objectively and reliably assess change.
 
You might have heard of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
 

Where do indicators come from?

 
Indicators can be widely recognised (e.g. Sustainable Development Goals) or unique to your project.
 
They can be prescribed by donors, created by project participants (and centred on what is meaningful and useful to them), or developed by project staff (to help measure the project against objectives, gauge progress or otherwise improve internally).