Results measurement

ARIs and TRIs

The aggregated reference indicators (ARIs) and the thematic reference indicators (TRIs) are applied in SDC-financed projects. Application of ARIs/TRIs holds for new projects or phases whether the relevant cooperation programme or programmatic framework contains the proposed ARI/TRI or not. This is also valid for projects mandated and for project contributions. In the latter case, as the project ownership lies with the partner institution, the use of the standardised indicators is not compulsory but strongly recommended. ARI and TRI results will be aggregated by using the Results Data Management system.

• Aggregated reference indicators (ARIs)

  Aggregated reference indicators (ARIs) are used in the results frameworks of cooperation programmes and global programmatic frameworks. ARIs allow communicating on selected achievements, across a wide range of situations and countries where the SDC intervenes. ARIs primarily serve accountability and communication needs and are linked to the main SDG target they contribute to.

• Thematic reference indicators (TRIs)

  Thematic reference indicators (TRIs) are binding outcome indicators drawn upon international best practices and standards and on the SDC’s experience. Ideally, five TRIs for each theme are identified. This contributes to focus interventions and harmonisation for the digitalisation of results data. TRIs are linked to the main SDG target they contribute to and thus show SDC’s contribution to the 2030 Agenda.

SDC guidance on results indicators

ARIs and TRIs @ E+E

The SDC Economy and Education section has 5 ARIs (Aggregated Result Indicator) and 10 TRIs (5 Economy Thematic Results Indicators and 5 Education Thematic Results Indicators). The section also follows an “Economic and Financial Analyses (EFA)” and a “Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA)” approach to measure its impact.

Factsheets

Working aids on results indicators

Standards of our partners

• Social Performance Task Force SPTF

  • Universal Standards Social Performance Management Guide SPTF

    PDF3.48 MB1 January 2017

• Donor Committee for Entreprise Development DCED

  • Introduction to the DCED Standard
  • Guidelines for implementing the DCED standard
  • Toolkit for implementing the DCED standard

  • DCED Standard for Measuring Results in Private Sector Development

    PDF330.10 kB1 April 2017

  • DCED Tools for Remote Monitoring PSD

    PDF277.82 kB1 August 2020

  • The Universal Standards for Social Performance Management Implementation Guide DCED

    PDF3.48 MB1 September 2017

Results Data Management RDM

SDC has developed a digital system, the Results Data Management (RDM) to record, manage and use results data for more efficient steering, learning and accountability, covering the three levels from project, portfolio (Cooperation Programme) to the corporate level. The aggregated reference indicators (ARI) and thematic reference indicators (TRI) contribute to this effort as they introduce more harmonisation in the indicators used.

Results Data Managemet

Accessible for FDFA staff only

More about Results Data Managemet

EFA / CBA

Economic and Financial Analysis EFA and the Cost-Benefit Analysis CBA are used by the E+E section for results measurement.

EFA is compulsory for project phases over 6 million as of 1 January 2022. The ‘How to’ notes below provide a basic understanding of EFA for SDC staff as well as a practical guidance for SDC staff who mandate an EFA. These documents seek to offer different methods to better adapt the analysis to the realities of different contexts and projects.

CBA is part of EFA and is a systematic process for calculating and comparing benefits and costs of investments over time. A CBA can be conducted for a program’s individual beneficiary, program partner (a financial CBA), or for the society as a whole (an economic CBA). A consolidated cash/value flow table is created showing the investments, the recurrent costs per year and the benefits per year. Subtracting costs from benefits creates net benefits per year. The CBA at SDC level is used ex-ante (at program design stage and part of the credit proposal) and ex-post (as an evaluation tool). Ideally, they are done during implementation for program steering.

Results-based finance

To improve aid effectiveness, international development funding is increasingly shifting from traditional input-based methods to results-based approaches. Results-based Financing (RBF) conditions a portion of program funding to measurable results. RBF incentivizes all actors to maximize the results that matter, fosters a culture of performance, and generates evidence of impact. When well-designed, RBF has been shown to improve social outcomes significantly.

Switzerland is a frontrunner in this movement, as shown by a recently conducted review which found a rich and diverse body of 51 Results-Based Financing (RBF) experiences by SDC and SECO.

Assessing systemic change

The E+E section follows a systemic approach. Assessing systemic change is essential to understand and enhance the impact of development programmes and to understand how broader systems are influenced in order to ensure that strategies are effectively designed, implemented, and adapted.

By evaluating systemic change, programs can better demonstrate their contributions to long-term development goals, fostering transparency and accountability among stakeholders. The overview paper linked below summarises the approach that programmes can use to assess system changes regularly and practically.

Evaluations

The following evaluations, commissioned by the SDC’s board of directors, are independent evaluations aimed to provide a critical assessment of SDC activities.

On the Swiss Federal database Aramis you can find all project evaluations commissioned by the Swiss Federal Department of Foregin Affairs. Insert the keywords of our themes to find the respective evaluations of your interest.