DCED standard document with Results Chain

1. DCED Standard for Measuring Results in Private Sector Development
Every development agency finds growing pressure to
report the results that it is achieving. A greater emphasis Example of a Results Chain:
on logframes and baseline surveys is not helping managers Commercial training for Vets of Vets
Example of a Results Chain: Technical Skills Development
to measure their achievements, particularly where
programmes are aiming to have market-wide impacts. As a Impact at
More Income
Poverty Level More employment
result, the achievements of the best agencies and
programmes are often going unrecognised. Increase in profit Increase in profit
The Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) Impact at Reduced days of pig
Reduced days of pig Decrease in mortality
Decrease in mortality
therefore proposes a Standard, which programmes can use Enterprise
Level
production cycle production cycle
to measure their own results. This turns results
Swine producers start using proper medicines and Other swine producers are influenced to use
measurement from an event into a process; credibility is applying effective disease control measures proper medicines and apply effective disease
assured through external certification of the measurement Service
Other vets seek training on better use of medicine
process used by the programme – instead of asking a Market
Outcomes
Swine producers learn about effective disease
control and vaccines
consultant to duplicate that process.
Service
Market Vets are more knowledgble on using medicines
The Standard has been generated and refined during 2008 Outputs and vaccines more efficiently
and 2009 in collaboration with PSD programmes in the Vets receive training on better use of medicines
field. It includes all of the elements needed for credibility and vaccines
(see Box below for list); these elements are now accepted Company assisted in developing the training
Activities module and vet identification
as 'good practice', but few programmes have yet achieved
them all. A private company interested to provide training With thanks to the USAID
on how to identify diseases, use medicine and Cambodia MSME Project
vaccine
The DCED Standard ‘At a Glance’
1. Articulating the Results Chain
2. Defining indicators of change What are the Benefits?
3. Measuring changes in indicators
The DCED results measurement initiative offers the
4. Estimating attributable changes following benefits to programmes:
5. Capturing wider changes in the system or market
6. Tracking programme costs the opportunity to think through the logic or results
7. Reporting results chains, leading to greater clarity around priorities
a management tool to orient all staff efforts around
8. Managing the system for results measurement
those priorities, and to encourage understanding of
how their work contributes to the ultimate goals
The first step in the Standard calls for managers to the means to generate approximate numbers for
articulate the results chain: the logic of their work, already impact (where appropriate) that have credibility; also
implicit but rarely illustrated in a clear form (see example the means to capture wider market change
of the format, above). interaction with other programmes, for exchange and
learning in key skills areas required for results
This format enables managers to be explicit about the measurement
assumptions on which their work is based – including for
recognition in the field, as being seriously engaged in
example sequencing and parallel logics – and provides the
the results measurement agenda
framework for validating them in a systematic way. Indeed,
time-saving, through not having to ‘reinvent the
those implementing the Standard report greatly increased
wheel’ for results measurement processes
effectiveness and focus; it also provides a framework
within which to measure and attribute impacts – where For more information
that is feasible.
contact Results@Enterprise-Development.org or visit
The ultimate vision is that programmes and organisations www.Enterprise-Development.org/page/measuring-and-
complying with the Standard will be widely accepted as reporting-results
being committed to effectiveness and excellence. Many
DCED member agencies, INGOs, field programmes and
consultants are actively exploring the potential for the
Standard, and additional participants are very welcome – th
12 January 2010
particularly among partner Governments.