Results-Based Management Tip Sheet 2.2 – Syntax^{Footnote 1} Structure of Outcome, Output and Activity Statements

Direction

Use an adjective (drawn from a verb in past tense) to indicate the expected direction of change. For example: increased, improved, reduced, enhanced^{Footnote 2}.

What

The actual thing/element that will change. For example:

• capacity, such as awareness, skills, knowledge, etc. (for immediate outcomes)
• behaviour, practice or performance (for intermediate outcomes)
• state, well-being or condition [but not surrounding circumstances] (for ultimate outcomes)

To describe the type of change sought for intermediaries or beneficiaries, and to provide further specificity, the “what” often includes:

• adjectives (e.g., equitable, effective, sustainable, gender sensitive, etc.)
• nouns (e.g., efficiency, effectiveness, quality, accountability, etc.) or
• adverbs (e.g., efficiently, effectively, etc.)

Who

Identifies the individuals, groups, organizations or entities who will experience the change described; in other words, intermediaries or beneficiaries. For example: ministry of health, agricultural-extension workers, farmers, journalists, local communities, women, children, men, minorities.

Identifying the “who” helps to gauge how realistic the change is and makes it more specific.

Note that “including,” “specifically,” “especially” or “particularly” can be used to specify a specific group targeted within a large whole. For example: Increased access to public services for women, particularly marginalized ethnic minorities.

Where

The geographical location of the change being described. For example: community, country, region, village, etc.

Examples

• Improved health of women in Region Y, Country X (ultimate outcome)
• Enhanced provision of health services to women and men by the ministry of health in Region Z (intermediate outcome)
• Increased awareness of proper hygiene-practices by women in Region Y, Country X (immediate outcome)
• Increased protection of the rights of minorities by government X in Country X (intermediate outcome)

1^st What

The product or service provided by the project implementer, and in what topic or subject.

2^nd What

The “what” can be qualified (e.g., gender sensitive training delivered… or environmentally responsible disposal strategy developed, etc.)if it helps describe a minimum standard. This qualification should not be subjective (e.g., avoid “efficient process developed, or “user-friendly tools created”).^{Footnote 3}

Verb

Use a verb in the past tense describing how the output was delivered.

For example: provided, delivered, completed, organized

Whom

The individuals, groups, organizations or entities to or for whom the output was produced or provided; in other words, intermediaries or beneficiaries.

Note that “specifically,” “especially” or “particularly” can be used to specify a selected group within a larger whole.

Where

The geographical location of the product or service being delivered or rendered. (See note above).

For example: community, country, region, village, etc.

Example

Pamphlet on maternal health-services produced for local women’s groups in village X.

Verb

A verb in the imperative mood describing the action to be taken.

For example: provide, train, produce, hire, prepare, develop, etc.

1^st What & 2^nd What

The activity being undertaken by the project implementer, and in what topic or subject.

Whom

The individuals, groups, organizations or entities for whom, or in cooperation with whom, the activity is undertaken; in other words, intermediaries or beneficiaries.

Note that “specifically,” “especially” or “particularly” can be used to specify a selected group within a large whole.

Where

The geographical location of the activity being described.

For example: community, country, region, village, etc.

Example

Conduct inclusive consultations on maternal health needs with local women’s groups and health service providers in village X.