Indicators and the MEAL plan

1What makes a good indicator?

An indicator is a measure that shows whether change is taking place. It must be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.

Weak: “improved hygiene”. SMART: “% of targeted households in which a member can name at least 3 of the 5 critical times for handwashing, rising from 20% to 60% by December 2026”.

• Quantitative (number, %, average) and qualitative (perceptions, level of satisfaction, measured using scales or interviews).
• Disaggregation: by sex, age and disability as a minimum. For disability, the standard is the Washington Group Short Set of Questions (6 questions on functional difficulties).
• Standard indicators: use those of the cluster, Sphere or the donor wherever possible, so that results can be compared and aggregated.

2Baseline, target and reference sheet

Each indicator has a baseline value (the starting situation, measured by the baseline study) and a target (the value aimed for by a given date). Without a baseline, change cannot be measured.

The indicator reference sheet (PIRS, Performance Indicator Reference Sheet) prevents everyone from measuring in their own way. It specifies: the exact definition and terms, the numerator and denominator, disaggregation, the data collection method and tool, the frequency, the person responsible, the baseline and target, and known limitations.

3The indicator tracking table

The tracking table (indicator tracking table, ITT) lists all the logframe indicators with, for each one, the baseline, the target, the values achieved per period and the percentage of achievement. A simple reading rule: green above 90% of the target expected to date, amber between 70 and 90%, red below. Every significant variance must have an explanation and a corrective action.

4The MEAL plan

The MEAL plan is the user manual for the system. It contains:

1. The logframe and the list of indicators with their reference sheets.
2. The timeline: baseline study, monthly monitoring, post-distribution monitoring, quarterly reviews, endline study, evaluation.
3. The tools: questionnaires, checklists, complaint forms.
4. The roles: who collects, who checks, who analyses, who decides.
5. The data flow: from collection to the database, then to reports and decision-making meetings.
6. The complaints and feedback mechanism.
7. The MEAL budget and human resources.
8. The data protection rules.