Performance Information and Reporting

Performance reporting in the Secretariat has mainly been through the annual Performance and Evaluation Report, which provides a review of key outputs and achievements for the year. The Evaluation Section is now responsible for introducing more rigorous performance reporting against the strategic goals and programme objectives of the overall portfolio. This will involve the development of an efficient performance management system to support results based decisions and enhance coordination across all Secretariat programmes.

Results based management is a management strategy focusing on performance and achievement of outputs, outcomes and impacts.

The elements of RBM encompass:

1. Identifying clear and measurable objectives (results);
2. Selecting indicators to measure progress towards objectives;
3. Setting explicit targets for each indicator used to judge performance;
4. Developing performance monitoring systems to regularly collect data;
5. Reviewing and analysing and reporting actual results against targets;
6. Integrating evaluations to give additional assessments/data; and,
7. Using performance information for internal management accountability and external performance reporting.

The key challenge for the Secretariat in meeting the requirement for results reporting is to shift from managing the implementation of activities and projects to measuring results and outcomes.

The Evaluation Section is developing a Performance Information Framework (PIF) to come into effect in 2004/05, in the new four year Strategic Plan. The PIF will facilitate performance measurement across all aspects of the Secretariat activities and support better use of performance information for both internal management and external reporting. The design and monitoring of projects and programmes will be strengthened so that results and outcomes are identified before implementation as part of strategic planning and programme formulation, during implementation as a routine part of day-to-day management and at completion to provide learning and feedback.

In addition to the publication of evaluation reports and the Annual Performance Report, the Evaluation Section prepares an annual compilation of all Commonwealth Secretariat Assistance. This report contains a listing of all projects and training activities implemented in all Commonwealth countries and Regions. The Commonwealth Secretariat Assistance to Member Countries 2002/2003 report was published in March 2003.