Despite the great interest in results, relatively little information is available on what is being achieved. Even self-reported results are rare, and may not always be credible. Meanwhile, many practitioners believe that they are achieving great results, but lack a credible channel through which to communicate them.
The DCED Standard therefore provides a practical framework, whereby programmes can monitor their progress towards their objectives, according to good practice. This enables programmes to better manage their interventions. "It can make foreign aid more effective if we pay close attention to monitoring – improving the quality of data, using data to inform project decisions" (V. Rao, The Globe and Mail).
The Standard builds on the results chain, or logic, of the individual programme. The process of clarifying the results chain alone can deliver substantial improvements in effectiveness. Credibility of a whole monitoring system can be assured through external audit; Katalyst, one of the first programmes to be audited, shared their experience
here.
The Committee invites you to join the initiative! Read more in our one-page outline about the Standard and how to join. Click here to get in touch with Jim Tanburn of the DCED Secretariat.
Contents
The Standard and related documentation can be downloaded below.
Version VI of the Standard will address a few formatting and consistency issues in light of feedback received; the underlying structure and content remain the same as in Version V. It will be posted here for consultation very shortly; comments on Version V are still welcome.
The DCED organised a global Seminar on current trends and results in
private sector development, 17-20 January 2012, in Bangkok, Thailand.
Click here for more information and to view the presentations held by participating programmes, including value chain development, trade promotion, and business environment reform programmes as well as challenge funds. Interviews
were taken with selected participants and presenters to
highlight some of the key issues arising.
Case Studies of Experience with the Standard
These case studies focus on the experiences in practice of programmes that are working towards compliance with, or that are using, the DCED Standard. They are not intended as a guide to "best practice" in results measurement; the cases listed first appear (on the basis of material received) to have the most effective results chains and monitoring systems.
- Tractor leasing, DFID/PrOpCom Nigeria, 2010
- Maize production in Bangladesh, Swisscontact Katalyst, 2011
- Tofu production, Swisscontact / Mercy Corps VIP Indonesia, 2010
- Palm oil production, GTZ Thailand, 2010
- Pig-rearing, USAID/MSME Cambodia, 2010
- Regional Trade, TradeMark East Africa, 2011
- Cocoa value chain, AusAID/CLIP Solomon Islands, 2011
- Advocacy for business environment reform, DFID/ENABLE Nigeria, 2010
- Cashew production in Indonesia, Swisscontact and
Cordaid, 2011
- Tea in Vietnam, livestock markets in Kenya, SNV, 2011
- Tourism development, GIZ Montenegro, 2011
- Artificial insemination of livestock, SDC Southern Caucasus, 2011
- Industrial bamboo, PI Vietnam and Laos, 2010
- Seeds and Markets Project, SDC/GRM International, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Lesotho, 2012
Supporting Documentation and Guidelines
Below you can find supporting documentation and guidelines for PSD programmes applying the Standard as well as auditors. The implementation guidelines are currently being upgraded; the new version will shortly be available on this site.
2011 Reader on Results Measurement
The 2011 Edition of the Reader gives an overview of
progress in results measurement, and
implementation of the DCED Standard worldwide. According to one CEO, it
is "the most clearly written and commonsensical document on impact assessment that I have read".
Many donor and development agencies are now referring to the DCED
Standard as a good practice. Below you can find aselection of (DCED member) agency
documents and events featuring the Standard.
Les documents suivants sont disponibles en français.
Los siguientes documentos están disponibles en español.
Photographs courtesy of Paul Weijers and Katalyst