Measuring and Reporting Results

Background

Little has been published on the results achieved in Private Sector Development (PSD) - even though those results are often very impressive. The Committee is therefore looking at ways to encourage more measurement of results - by piloting a new approach.

Some of the background research to this new approach has been published in a Reader on Measuring and Reporting Results (available in English, French and Spanish). This study concluded that the insistence on rigour was preventing most programmes from publishing numbers that were approximately correct; the DCED is therefore proposing a basic, minimum Standard for measuring (approximate) results, which could ultimately be adopted on a multi-agency basis. The current version of that Standard can be downloaded below; an updated version is also posted there for consultation.

The Committee is currently looking to expand this initiative; it invites applications from programmes interested in piloting the DCED approach during 2010. It is also exploring closer links with member agency staff at headquarters level; the Declaration "Committed to the Impact" following a Workshop of German Development Cooperation in Bonn in August 2009 is an important example of this. Click on this link to download a one-page outline about the DCED Standard, how to join etc.

Key Documents

Version V is now available below; the changes relative to Version IV are almost all for clarification and simplification, based on the very extensive comments already received. There are no major substantive changes. In line with the changes to the Standard, the Auditor's Report format has been modified and a separate version created for new programmes. All other associated documents below have also been updated, to be consistent with Version V.

• DCED Standard (Version V)
• Implementation Guidelines (1.9 MB)
• Auditor's Guidelines
• Auditor's Report Format for Programmes more than One Year Old
• Auditor's Report Format for Programmes less than One Year Old

En français

• Document de base 2008 sur le développement du secteur privé: Quantifier et rapporter les résultats
• Mesurer les résultats des programmes de développement du secteur privé : vers une norme commune? (NOTE: This document is based on Version III of the DCED Standard (dated 27th November 2008)

En español

• Documento de trabajo 2008 sobre el desarrollo del sector privado: Medición e informe de resultados

Supporting Resources

• Measuring and Reporting Results: Introductory Workshops 2009 (Documents and Presentations used at Introductory Workshops in Nigeria and Indonesia, May/June 2009)
• Measuring and Reporting Results (Presentation, DCED Annual Meeting 2008)
• Reader on Measuring and Reporting Results

Additional documents are also available on this theme: please contact the DCED Coordinator for more information.

Other Useful Links

• Making Markets Work for the Poor: Results Measurement in Private Sector Development – Current Practice and Challenges ahead (SDC Seminar)

Below are two background Papers prepared for the DCED; additional information and case studies on measuring and reporting results can be found on the DCED databases, covering the themes of Value Chains and Service Markets, and Reform of the Business Environment.

• Assessing poverty impacts - Oldsman 2003.pdf (279 KB)
• Framework for evaluating impact - Oldsman 2002.pdf (199 KB)