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Glossary of Selected Outcome Measurement Terms
Inputs are resources a program uses to achieve program objectives. Examples are staff, volunteers, facilities, equipment, curricula, and
money. A program uses inputs to support activities.
Activities are what a program does with its inputs-the services it provides-to fulfill its mission. Examples are sheltering homeless families,
educating the public about signs of child abuse, and providing adult mentors for youth. Program activities result in outputs.
Outputs are products of a program's activities, such as the number of meals provided, classes taught, brochures distributed, or
participants served. Another term for "outputs" is "units of service." A program's outputs should produce desired outcomes for the
program's participants.
Outcomes are benefits for participants during or after their involvement with a program. Outcomes may relate to knowledge, skills,
attitudes, values, behavior, condition, or status. Examples of outcomes include greater knowledge of nutritional needs, improved reading
skills, more effective responses to conflict, getting a job, and having greater financial stability.
For a particular program, there can be various "levels" of outcomes, with initial outcomes leading to longer-term ones. For example, a
youth in a mentoring program who receives one-to-one encouragement to improve academic performance may attend school more
regularly, which can lead to getting better grades, which can lead to graduating.
Outcome indicators are the specific items of information that track a program's success on outcomes. They describe observable,
measurable characteristics or changes that represent achievement of an outcome. For example, a program whose desired outcome is that
participants pursue a healthy lifestyle could define "healthy lifestyle" as not smoking; maintaining a recommended weight, blood pressure,
and cholesterol level; getting at least two hours of exercise each week; and wearing seat belts consistently. The number and percent of
program participants who demonstrate these behaviors then is an indicator of how well the program is doing with respect to the outcome.
Outcome targets are numerical objectives for a program's level of achievement on its outcomes. After a program has had experience with
measuring outcomes, it can use its findings to set targets for the number and percent of participants expected to achieve desired
outcomes in the next reporting period. It also can set targets for the amount of change it expects participants to experience.
Benchmarks are performance data that are used for comparative purposes. A program can use its own data as a baseline benchmark
against which to compare future performance. It also can use data from another program as a benchmark. In the latter case, the other
program often is chosen because it is exemplary and its data are used as a target to strive for, rather than as a baseline.
Source: Measuring Program Outcomes: A Practical Approach
© Copyright 1996 United Way of America