The main aim of outcome and impact assessment is to record the direct effects (outcomes) that development agencies produce for the recipients through their outputs, along with the longer-term effects (impact) on others beyond the target groups. For simplicity’s sake, we often use the term “impact assessment” to stand for “outcome and impact assessment” in general.
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Input
The financial, human, and material resources used for the development intervention.
Source: OECD/DAC
Activities
Actions taken or work performed through which inputs, such as funds, technical assistance and other types of resources are mobilized to produce specific outputs.
Source: OECD/DAC
Outputs
The products, capital goods and services which result from a development intervention; may also include changes resulting from the intervention which are relevant to the achievement of outcomes.
Source: OECD/DAC
NGO’s outputs include financial contributions, products, information and advice, training and the free distribution and lending of material (equipment, housing, etc.).
Outcomes
The likely or achieved short-term and medium-term effects of an intervention’s outputs.
Source: OECD/DAC
We define as effects on the target groups all outcomes that improve their economic well-being, their level of information, their education, their living standards, their awareness or their capacities.
Impact
Positive and negative, primary and secondary long-term effects produced by a development intervention, directly or indirectly, intended or unintended.
Source: OECD/DAC
Effects
Intended or unintended changes due directly or indirectly to an intervention. Effects include outcomes and impact.
Source: OECD/DAC
Results
The output, outcome and impact of a development intervention. Results include outputs, outcomes and impact.
Source: OECD/DAC