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THE BIG PICTURE

Can the Agency tell the truth about results?

Can the participants tell the truth about results?

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BIG PICTURE: OBJECTIVES

Understand legal mandate

Understand USAID/State responses

Identify participant responses

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USAID and the GPRA Government Performance Results Act:

1. Who is your customer?

2. What service/product do you provide?

3. How much do you provide?

4. What does it cost? USAID Performance Report: (Def. p 68)

Pre-selected indicators must report data against targets to demonstrate results. The data are produced by implementation of a PMP based on a Development Hypothesis expressed by a Results Framework

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What is Performance Management?

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It is the systematic process of: monitoring the achievements of program operations; collecting and analyzing performance information to

track progress toward planned results; using performance information and evaluations to

influence decision making and resource allocation; and

communicating results achieved, or not attained, to advance organizational learning….” (Def. p 67)

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“Domino effect” in Performance Management context

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“Domino effect” in Performance Management context

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“Domino effect” in Performance Management context

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“Domino effect” in Performance Management context

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Performance Management

Means we learn from the real world to improve effectiveness

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What is a Result?

A significant, intended, and measurable change in the condition of a customer, or a change in the host country, institutions, or other entities that will affect the customer directly or indirectly (Def. p. 69)

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USAID Response: Development Hypothesis

Ultimate customer or customer’s environment impact 1-20 years Do not always succeed but produce learning from experience Produce data on the road of causality traveled to benefiting customers:

new knowledge & impact

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WHAT IS A RESULTS FRAMEWORK?(Def. P 69)

Graphic representation of a strategy for achieving a specific objective– Includes the objective,

necessary intermediate results, and any critical assumptions that must hold

– Conveys the implicit development hypothesis (cause-and-effect linkages)

– Used as a planning, communications, and management tool

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Obj.: Water resources management in 2 watershed basins improved

IR1: Models for restoration/ conservation validated

IR2: Water Managementdecision making restructured

IR3: Investment in improvedWater resources managementincreased

Critical AssumptionsNational policy supports watershed basin regional planning

IR4: Stakeholder conference generates consensus to restructure decision making

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State Department Response: Standard Indicators

Foreign Assistance Standardized Program Structures and Definitions (with Standard “F” indicators)

Lets take a look at them.

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What are “F” indicators?

Foreign Assistance Framework standardized indicators world wide (+/- 3,000 – See FAF Standardized Program Structure and Definitions – program element indicators and flash drive total list)

Response to the GPRA and Office of Management and Budget

Selected by the Mission (with or without consultation with Partners)

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The Foreign Assistance Framework

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How to treat “F” indicators

• ADS 203.3.8.3 p 36

2nd paragraph: custom indicators at AO or outcome level. Standard indicators often suitable for management purposes at lower levels of RF

3rd paragraph: custom indicators in joint Performance Report/Operational Plan for impact/outcome only

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CUSTOM INDICATORS

• A Results Framework can include results at several levels in the causal chain: inputs outputs, outcomes, and impact

• Very few “F” indicators measure results at the outcome or impact levels

• Missions are accountable for impact as defined in response to GPRA

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Task I (by Organization)1. If you have a Results Framework: write each Result on a

separate A4 paper and tape them up in Results Framework format. Write your major Activities on A4 papers and tape them across the bottom or the Framework.

2. If you do not have a Results Framework: write your Objective and major Activities on A4 papers and tape them up with the Objective up high and the Activities across the bottom (down low,) with space in between.

3. At your table, discuss the questions: Who is your customer? What do you do for them? How much do you do? What does it cost?

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Discussion Review

What did you use to address the GPRA Questions? – Results Framework indicators and data?– State Department “F” standard indicators and data?– Annual expenditures?– Quarterly Report data or narrative?– Other?

Can you tell the truth about your results? Can the Agency tell the truth about results if you can’t?

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So, What is a Performance Management Plan (PMP)?

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ADS 200 definition:A tool used by USAID Mission/Office and

assistance objective team to plan and manage the process of assessing and reporting progress toward achieving an Assistance Objective (ADS p. 67)

Let’s Look at two: Mountain Conservation Society & Liberia Case

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Session 1. Summary

GPRA Questions

Agency Development Hypothesis: Results/Learning

Standard Indicators: “F”

Truth about Results = Quality of Performance Management of IPs

Reality doesn’t lie; we do.

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