Indicator Template Guide

A short name for the indicator.

The version of the indicator. It is composed of a major version number that must be incremented whenever a modification is made to the indicator that represents a methodological breaking point susceptible of impacting the comparability of measurement results. And a minor version number that must be incremented whenever small changes are made to the indicator. See The Methodological Stability of Indicators.

Format:

[major version].[minor version]

Examples:

• 1.0

• 1.2

• 2.3

• 5.1

The measure(s) used for this indicator.

A version of the indicator that is adequate for benchmarking purposes. In general, absolute values are expressed in ratios.

A list of the typical organization’s stakeholders that would typically have an interest in this indicator.

• A list of generic goals linked to this indicator with an estimation of the degree of alignment with the indicator. The following scale will be used:

• +++ strong alignment

• ++ medium alignment

• + weak alignment

• 0 no alignment

• - weak negative alignment (counterproductive)

• -- weak negative alignment (counterproductive)

• --- weak negative alignment (counterproductive)

Why would an organization monitor this indicator? What is the rationale behind this indicator?

A list of generic scoping dimensions that may prove useful to focus and monitor the indicator.

A list of known or potential negative effects that this indicator may produce. The description of negative effects should be accompanied by propositions of mitigating countermeasures. See The Dual Side of Performance Measurement Systems for a discussion on this topic.

A suggested visual representation for the indicator.

Some indicators may require that a certain level of process, organizational or system maturity be reached before measurement becomes feasible or useful.

A list of related indicators. Documenting dependencies between indicators may help the selection process of indicators.

A list of generic data sources that may be used as data sources to measure the indicator.

Dictionary entries for the key terms used to describe the indicator.

Articles, interviews or other sources related to this indicator.