6.27 Performance management concerns tracking the success of a policy, programme or project in achieving its objectives and in securing the expected benefits. For appraisal and evaluation purposes, it involves the systematic collection of data relating to the financial management and outcomes of the policy, programme or project during implementation.
6.28 This provides an essential source of information, indicating the extent to which objectives are being achieved, giving an early warning of potential problems, and of the possible need to adapt the policy, programme or project to ensure success. Monitoring also provides information for the evaluation stage. To be fully effective, plans for monitoring must form part of the initial planning of a policy, programme or project.
6.29 Effective performance measurement and monitoring means tracking all categories of benefit and ensuring that:
❑ Projects have defined target benefits and outputs;
❑ Ownership of the delivery of benefits remains with the programme manager;
❑ Outputs of a project or policy remain consistent with changing government objectives;
❑ Targets and achieved benefits are measured, reported and communicated;
❑ Costs are closely monitored and managed; and,
❑ Forecast costs and benefits are frequently reviewed.
6.30 A monitoring system should establish:
❑ Whether management data is actually measuring what it purports to measure; and,
❑ Put in place sufficient controls to ensure that the data is accurate.