Accountability: the obligation to answer for the results and the way you discharge your responsibilities. Accountability cannot be delegated. Accountability is the obligation to take responsibility for an action.

Activities: work performed by organizations to put strategies, programs or projects into place. All activities use resources and produce products and/or services, which in the context of performance measurement are called outputs. One or more activities will be critical to the achievement of the goals and/or outcomes of a strategy or initiative.

Assumption: the act or instance of taking something as true without proof. This may include the beliefs that committee members have about a problem or situation and the resources required to intervene or to resolve it.

Attribution: the connection that can be made between specific actions or outputs and their outcomes. In performance measurement, there are degrees of attribution:

  • High or direct – the organization played a major role, and the connection between the outputs and the outcomes is relatively clear.
  • Medium or indirect – the organization played a supporting role in influencing the outcome.
  • Low or influence – the organization played a small or limited role in influencing the outcome.

Baseline: the starting point for assessing changes in performance and for establishing objectives or targets for future performance.

Benchmarking: the process of comparing organizational practices and performance over a time period against a predetermined standard. For example, when you measure and compare the performance of your program with similar programs from similar-sized or oriented organizations.

Client: the person or organization to which services or products are delivered. A client may be a member of an organization or an employee of it, or a client may be external to the organization.

Dashboard: a set of metrics that gives senior managers an at-a-glance perspective of the business, balanced across major functions.

Effectiveness: the extent to which an organization, policy, program or project meets its intended objectives and is producing its planned outcomes.

Efficiency: the extent to which an organization, policy, program or project is producing its planned outputs in relation to the costs of the resources used.

Evaluation: the systematic collection and analysis of information on the performance of an initiative to make judgments about its relevance, progress and cost-effectiveness. This information is then used to make decisions about future programs.

Goal (higher level objective): the achievable and realistic expression of a desired result. A goal can be divided into several more specific objectives. For example, for a not-for-profit local food group a higher order goal may reflect its commitment to enduring human, civic, economic and environmental benefits. One objective of such an organization may be to provide a secure source of high quality, local produce that is affordable.

Indicator: refers to a value used to signal and indirectly measure performance over time. The change in population of a region over the life span of an economic development plan may be an indicator.

Inputs: the human, material or financial resources allocated to carry out activities, produce outputs and/or accomplish results. Some examples include staff, technology, equipment, supplies and money.

Logic model: an illustration of the connections and relationships between the resources or inputs, activities, outputs and outcomes. A logic model is a visual representation that shows what an organization, program or project proposes to do and what it aims to accomplish. It is a series of “if ... then” relationships. For instance, if a process is implemented as intended then it will probably lead to the desired outcomes. A logic model is the core of program planning and evaluation.

Monitor: the process of collecting and analyzing data to track the outputs of programs, plans or projects and their progress towards their desired outcomes.

Objective: the achievable and realistic expression of a desired result. An objective is usually a lower level goal but can act as a substitute goal in specific strategic actions and operational plans. An objective is more specific when it comes under a goal in the same strategic hierarchy. For example, a not-for-profit local food group may have an objective of providing a secure source of high quality, local produce that is affordable.

Outcome: the actual effect of activities and outputs. The program, project or plan may include short-term, medium-term and long-term outcomes.

  • Short-term outcomes – are the first level effects of the outputs or immediate response to the outputs. They may include changes in the awareness, knowledge, skills or attitudes of the target audience.
  • Medium-term outcomes – are changes in behaviours, decisions, policies and actions that are attributable, at least in part, to outputs. These are outcomes you want to see.
  • Long-term outcomes – are the ultimate or long-term consequences or changes in condition. These could be the economic, social or environmental results or the benefits to which a program or plan has contributed in some way. These are outcomes you hope to see.

Output: the products or services that result from the activities of a project or program. An output is the result when an activity reaches the intended audiences or clients. An output is used synonymously with a deliverable.

Performance measure: a quantitative or qualitative means of measuring an output or outcome. The intent is to be able to gauge the performance of an organization, program, project or initiative in achieving expected results. A performance measure is also called a performance metric or a performance indicator.

Performance measurement: is the ongoing process of collecting and analyzing data and then reporting the results. Performance measurement helps an organization assess the progress that it or one of its initiatives is making towards a desired outcome or goal.

Performance measurement framework: is a set of interconnected activities for the selection, development and implementation of performance measures. A performance measurement framework can also be used to generate information to manage programs, guide or inform decision-making, improve performance and communicate the achievement of results.

Priority: something that is given special attention or considered important by an organization, company or government. For example, a priority or higher-order goal of a producer may include using less water in its operations. Higher order goals of governments or not-for-profit organizations may reflect their commitment to citizens, members or stakeholders and contribute to enduring human, economic, civic and environmental benefits.

Qualitative data: the non-numeric information collected through interviews, focus groups, surveys, observation and the analysis of written documents. Qualitative data may include judgements, opinions and perceptions. Qualitative data can be quantified to establish patterns or trends.

Quantitative data: numerical information that is counted or compared on a scale.

Result: a product, output, condition or outcome that exists because of an activity.

Risk: the possibility of an event negatively affecting the chances of an organization achieving its goals and objectives.

Stakeholder (for the purpose of performance measurement): any person, group, or organization that is affected by your organization’s activities and has an interest in or expectation of the work of your organization. Stakeholders can also influence or place a claim on your resources or services.

Strategic plan: the recorded plan that describes and communicates the strategic direction of an organization based on its vision, mission and goals.

Strategy: a plan that outlines how specified activities and programs contribute to the goals and objectives of an organization.

Target: a clearly stated objective or planned result, which may include outputs and/or outcomes to be achieved within a stated time. The target will then be compared to  the actual result. For instance, a local food group that is trying to sell more area produce may launch an online marketing campaign with the target of 1,000 information inquiries through the gateway website.