RBM results chain and indicator worksheet

First draw the results chain backward from impact on the right to the left, then set indicators, baselines and targets for each stage. Prepare the monitoring plan in the final section.

When to use this worksheet and what completion involves Fictional completed example

EvalCompass Worksheet

RBM results chain and indicator worksheet

Method: Results-Based Management

First draw the results chain backward from impact on the right to the left, then set indicators, baselines and targets for each stage. Prepare the monitoring plan in the final section.

Basic information

Enter basic program information

Completed example for this section (fictional)

This fictional example is for explanation. Adapt it to your own program. Your entries will not change.

Project / program name: Community counseling accompaniment program (fictional)
Implementation period: April 2026–March 2027
Target area and participants: Residents of area A seeking counseling
Main donors and implementing agencies: Fictional community fund and resident support organization
M&E officer and date prepared: Evaluation officer / September 13, 2026

Reason for this entry: Specify outcome scope and management responsibility.

Project / program name

Implementation period

Target area and participants

Main donors and implementing agencies

M&E officer and date prepared

Writing tips and explanation for this section

About this section

Enter basic program information

Specify outcome scope and management responsibility.

View the method explanation

Writing tips

Follow each field’s heading to record the program name, focus, period, and other details. Leave undecided matters clearly marked as unresolved.

Read the full fictional example

Results chain

Work backward from impact to enter each stage. Record assumptions and risks too

Completed example for this section (fictional)

This fictional example is for explanation. Adapt it to your own program. Your entries will not change.

Scroll horizontally to view the table

Stage	Description of content or change	Assumptions and risks
Activities	Coordinate counseling and accompaniment	Staffing and the individual’s wishes
Outputs	Counseling and accompaniment provided	The service accepts referrals
Outcomes	People needing support proceed with applications	A relevant scheme exists and eligibility requirements are met

Reason for this entry: Separate activity delivery from participants’ behavior.

Scroll horizontally to view the table

Stage	Description of content or change	Assumptions and risks

Writing tips and explanation for this section

About this section

Work backward from impact to enter each stage. Record assumptions and risks too

Separate activity delivery from participants’ behavior.

View the method explanation

Writing tips

Keep the information in each row aligned. Scroll wide tables horizontally to see every column.

Read the full fictional example

Indicator, baseline and target list

Set SMART indicators, baselines, targets and collection methods for each outcome stage

Completed example for this section (fictional)

This fictional example is for explanation. Adapt it to your own program. Your entries will not change.

Scroll horizontally to view the table

Outcome stage	Indicator (SMART format)	Baseline value	Target (with deadline)	Collection methods and frequency
Immediate	Unique people beginning applications within 1 month of initial counseling	No starting value; first measurement in October	Review initial values and barriers at the December meeting and set targets for the next period	Monthly status checks based on the individual’s consent

Reason for this entry: Do not fill unmeasured values with 0.

Scroll horizontally to view the table

Outcome stage	Indicator (SMART format)	Baseline value	Target (with deadline)	Collection methods and frequency

Writing tips and explanation for this section

About this section

Set SMART indicators, baselines, targets and collection methods for each outcome stage

Do not fill unmeasured values with 0.

View the method explanation

Writing tips

Keep the information in each row aligned. Scroll wide tables horizontally to see every column.

Read the full fictional example

Monitoring plan

Specify collection responsibility, timing, format and reporting recipient for each indicator

Completed example for this section (fictional)

This fictional example is for explanation. Adapt it to your own program. Your entries will not change.

Scroll horizontally to view the table

Indicators	Collector	Collection timing	Formats and tools	Reporting recipient and timing
Unique people beginning applications	Counseling officer	End of each month	Follow-up form with duplicates removed	Program manager; following month’s meeting

Reason for this entry: Link who collects data and who uses it in one row.

Scroll horizontally to view the table

Indicators	Collector	Collection timing	Formats and tools	Reporting recipient and timing

Writing tips and explanation for this section

About this section

Specify collection responsibility, timing, format and reporting recipient for each indicator

Link who collects data and who uses it in one row.

View the method explanation

Writing tips

Keep the information in each row aligned. Scroll wide tables horizontally to see every column.

Read the full fictional example

Completion checklist

Completed example for this section (fictional)

This fictional example is for explanation. Adapt it to your own program. Your entries will not change.

☑ Checked: All outcome indicators meet SMART principles
☑ Checked: Baseline collection is planned or completed
☑ Checked: Output and outcome indicators are clearly distinguished
☑ Checked: Collection responsibility is assigned for every monitoring indicator
☐ Not checked: Midterm and final evaluation plans align with monitoring

Reason for this entry: Final evaluation scope is undecided. Determine it in October based on initial monitoring findings.

All outcome indicators meet SMART principles
Baseline collection is planned or completed
Output and outcome indicators are clearly distinguished
Collection responsibility is assigned for every monitoring indicator
Midterm and final evaluation plans align with monitoring

Writing tips and explanation for this section

About this section

Final evaluation scope is undecided. Determine it in October based on initial monitoring findings.

View the method explanation

Writing tips

Read each item and check those you have confirmed. Do not use the fictional example’s checkbox states as findings about your own program.

Read the full fictional example

Before writing, check when to use the worksheet and what completion involves

RBM results chain and indicator worksheet is a worksheet for applying Results-Based Management in meetings or individual work. For the overall duration of the method, use “Illustrative estimate (adjust for scale and staffing): 1–2 weeks to design the RBM framework; ongoing monitoring throughout the program” as a reference, adjusting for scale and resources. Fill in what you know provisionally and leave unresolved matters as questions to check next.

When this worksheet is useful

Adopting a standard project management framework in UN agencies, ODA implementing agencies or government development departments
Setting outcomes, indicators and baselines together during planning
Integrating monitoring and evaluation plans within a common logical framework

Participants and preparation

Project managers, M&E officers and implementing partners. Donors and funding agencies often participate in planning.

Bring the materials used for decisions, existing data, and differing stakeholder views to help complete the worksheet.

Suggested order

1. Basic informationEnter basic program information
2. Results chainWork backward from impact to enter each stage. Record assumptions and risks too
3. Indicator, baseline and target listSet SMART indicators, baselines, targets and collection methods for each outcome stage
4. Monitoring planSpecify collection responsibility, timing, format and reporting recipient for each indicator
5. Completion checklist

Signs the worksheet is ready for review

Results chain diagram
Indicator, baseline and target list
Monitoring plan

Cautions for review

Prioritizing easily measured indicators omits important but difficult outcomes
Monitoring becomes numerical recordkeeping without analysis of context or causes
Inflexible plans and fixation on numerical achievement delay fundamental improvements

Read a completed fictional example (your entries will not change)

Fictional example; not actual results

The following fictional example checks contact counts and progress toward applications monthly in a counseling accompaniment program.

Basic information

Project / program name: Community counseling accompaniment program (fictional)
Implementation period: April 2026–March 2027
Target area and participants: Residents of area A seeking counseling
Main donors and implementing agencies: Fictional community fund and resident support organization
M&E officer and date prepared: Evaluation officer / September 13, 2026

Reason for this entry: Specify outcome scope and management responsibility.

Results chain

Scroll horizontally to view the table

Stage	Description of content or change	Assumptions and risks
Activities	Coordinate counseling and accompaniment	Staffing and the individual’s wishes
Outputs	Counseling and accompaniment provided	The service accepts referrals
Outcomes	People needing support proceed with applications	A relevant scheme exists and eligibility requirements are met

Reason for this entry: Separate activity delivery from participants’ behavior.

Indicator, baseline and target list

Scroll horizontally to view the table

Outcome stage	Indicator (SMART format)	Baseline value	Target (with deadline)	Collection methods and frequency
Immediate	Unique people beginning applications within 1 month of initial counseling	No starting value; first measurement in October	Review initial values and barriers at the December meeting and set targets for the next period	Monthly status checks based on the individual’s consent

Reason for this entry: Do not fill unmeasured values with 0.

Monitoring plan

Scroll horizontally to view the table

Indicators	Collector	Collection timing	Formats and tools	Reporting recipient and timing
Unique people beginning applications	Counseling officer	End of each month	Follow-up form with duplicates removed	Program manager; following month’s meeting

Reason for this entry: Link who collects data and who uses it in one row.

Completion checklist

☑ Checked: All outcome indicators meet SMART principles
☑ Checked: Baseline collection is planned or completed
☑ Checked: Output and outcome indicators are clearly distinguished
☑ Checked: Collection responsibility is assigned for every monitoring indicator
☐ Not checked: Midterm and final evaluation plans align with monitoring

Reason for this entry: Final evaluation scope is undecided. Determine it in October based on initial monitoring findings.

Common errors in judgment

Assuming outcomes were achieved because planned activities were completed

How to revise: Use separate information to verify participant changes

Reason: Delivering activities and producing benefits are different.

Removing indicators showing missed targets during implementation

How to revise: Retain definitions before and after changes and reasons, and explain comparability

Reason: This prevents retaining only favorable results.

Editorial and checking information

Content updated: 2026-09-13Source checked: 2026-09-13 (includes AI cross-checking)No documented human reviewIncludes fictional examplesEditorial policy and scope of checking Cite this page Report a correction

References and checked sections

Glossary of results-based management terms
Global Affairs Canada
Section consulted
Results-based management; Results chain; Performance measurement
How it relates to the text
Performance measurement tracks progress toward expected results continuously and uses the information for management.
Source checked: 2026-09-13 (includes AI cross-checking)

How to cite this page

EvalCompass Editorial Team. “RBM results chain and indicator worksheet”. EvalCompass, updated 2026-09-13. https://evalcompass.jun-nakatani.com/en/worksheets/rbm/

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Change history

2026-09-13 — Updated explanations to correspond to the sources and added method-specific fictional completed examples, judgment examples and a change log.