Development of SBCC related program Indicators

Development of Indicators for SBCC Program

Introduction 

What is an indicator?

Indicators are tools used to measure Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) program progress. They are used to assess the state of a program by defining its characteristics or variables, and then tracking changes in those characteristics over time or between groups. Clear indicators are the basis of any effective  monitoring and evaluation system. 

Why are indicators necessary?

In order to track the way in which an SBCC program evolves and its progress towards reaching certain goals you need to be able to measure this change over time. Indicators provide data that can be measured to show changes in relevant SBCC program areas.

While partners in the community and key stakeholders will help design an SBCC program, it is ultimately the responsibility of the organization to assess its success and report results to the donor.

Indicators are used to create targets that allow program staff to measure up-to-date characteristics of the program’s success and assess whether those results are in line with program expectations. The indicators themselves are vital to this process, as they are the key for successful tracking of program changes or problems. 

As a tracking device indicators alert managers to any needed mid-course adjustments if it is found that the program is having unexpected difficulties or going off track.  At the end of the program they are measured to validate the success and achievements of the intervention. 

Who should develop indicators?

Indictors should be developed by the research staff in close collaboration with program staff and any government or NGO counterparts who are designing the program and have clear knowledge of the program goals and objective.  Once agreed upon, indicators give all parties, program managers and personnel, researchers and key stakeholders, a common framework against which to measure the progress and success of the program over time. 

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