Developing Indicators
Each indicator has four parts: population, target, threshold and timeline. But you can forget the jargon. Simply put, for each indicator you want to ask:
Who is changing? (women enrolled in the program)
How many do we expect will succeed? (perhaps 90% of the enrolled women)
How much is good enough? (a $12 per hour job for at least six months?)
By when does this outcome need to happen? (perhaps within two months of graduation)
- Indicator is the actual variable being measured, such as average test scores or proficiency in a particular skill.
- Population is the group that you are measuring, such as a program’s clients.
- Threshold represents the minimum for the outcome to be successfully achieved. (E.g. the threshold for a successful election between two candidates is 51% of the vote; if there were three or more candidates, the threshold would be lower, because only a majority of the votes would be required to be successful.)
Here are some sample indicators for Project Superwomen:
Outcome 1: | Long-term employment at a livable wage for domestic violence survivors |
Indicator : | Employment |
Population: | Program graduates |
Threshold: | Remain in job at least 6 months and earn at least $12 per hour |
Outcome 2: | Survivors have marketable skills in non-traditional jobs |
Indicator : | Skill in electrical, plumbing carpentry or building maintenance |
Population: | Program participants |
Threshold: | Successfully complete internship |
Outcome 2: | Survivors have marketable skills in non-traditional jobs |
Indicator : | Program graduation |
Population: | Program participants |
Threshold: | Do graduate (yes/no) |
Outcome 3: | Women attend training classes in non-traditional skills |
Indicator : | Attendance |
Population: | Program participants |
Threshold: | Women miss no more than three classes |