A performance management plan is a critical tool for planning, managing, and documenting data collection and data use. It contributes to the effectiveness of the performance monitoring system by assuring that comparable data will be collected on a regular and timely basis. These are essential to the operation of a credible and useful performance-based management approach. PMPs promote the collection of comparable data (baseline, targets, and progress) by sufficiently documenting indicator definitions, sources, and methods of data collection. This enables operating units to collect comparable data over time even when key personnel change.
The PMP organizes performance management tasks and data over the life of a program. Specifically, it:
- Supports institutional memory of definitions, assumptions, and decisions.
- Alerts staff to imminent tasks, such as data collection, data quality assessments, and evaluation planning.
- Provides documentation to help mitigate audit risks
Ensure the TLMP’s success by providing a means of measuring and tracking program achievements, as well as problems encountered and solutions developed
- Meet the RFA requirements (Monitoring and evaluating progress is Task 6 in the RFA, which states, “monitoring will focus on progress based upon: annual work plan; achievement indicators of programs outputs; and implemented/completed milestones”)
- Serve as a guide by which to monitor program activities over time
- Synchronize each Awardee’s monitoring and evaluation activities with the monitoring and evaluation activities conducted by Exegesis Consulting
Performance management (or monitoring, evaluation, and reporting) represents USAID’s commitment to using development resources as effectively as possible in order to achieve development results. Effective performance management is important to:
- Maximize the impact of U.S. foreign assistance programs. For example, a performance management system informs us as to whether the development hypothesis is correct or needs adjustment. More importantly, it affords the opportunity to make these adjustments as necessary.
- Improve knowledge, transparency of practice, and accountability.
- Enable programs to withstand the scrutiny of foreign assistance managers, Congress, The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and taxpayers.
- Fulfill the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).
- Performance management is integral to effective program operations. The development of effective systems requires clearly-defined goals and objectives, effective leadership, and team-oriented approaches. The indicators that are chosen from the metrics by which program success is defined.
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