Module
2 | Stage
2: Define Goals
| Step
5: Define Your Intermediate
Module
2 | Stage 2: Define Goals
|Results
Your intermediate
results and lower-level results are the important outcomes of your activities
that form essential steps to achieving the strategic objective. There
is a plausible cause and effect relationship between the IRs and achievement
of the SO. The number of IRs will vary with the scope and complexity
of the SO. Eventually, the team should arrive at a final set of results
that members believe necessary and reasonable. This set of results becomes
the Result Framework, and they must be SMART.
SMART Objectives
Check your IRs to ensure that they are expressed
as specific, measurable, appropriate, realistic, and time-bound (SMART)
outcomes.
[LINK] The Manager's Electronic
Resource Center "How to Write SMART Objectives" http://erc.msh.org/mainpage.cfm?file=2.1.3f.htm&module=
planning&language=English
|
Specific
|
Are the
objectives stated as changes in particular behaviors? Is the amount of change expected made explicit? Can the changes be achieved through one program? |
|
Measurable
|
Can these
numbers or facts be presented in a report? Can each objective be measured in such a way that the success of the program can be determined? Are there data with which to compare these data (e.g., from a baseline or a control group)? |
|
Appropriate
|
Are these
objectives culturally and educationally appropriate? How will this program be accepted by the community? Does the intervention fill a gap in current services? |
|
Realistic
|
Are the resources available to achieve the
stated objectives? |
|
Time-bound
|
Is it reasonable
to expect to detect changes in the program's time frame? Can these objectives be accomplished within the available time frame? |
Prioritizing Intermediate Results
Prioritize the IRs by considering the following:
-
Local needs as defined by the stage of the epidemic and the priorities of the host country stakeholders
-
The degree (coverage and quality) to which IRs are being covered by other agencies and organizations
-
Resources and comparative strengths of implementing agency/ies and partners
-
Opportunities for expanded geographic coverage and access for vulnerable populations and high-risk groups
-
Acceptability of the objectives to the beneficiary population
-
Technical soundness, feasibility and affordability of attaining the objective
-
Degree to which the attainment of the objectives promotes PLHA involvement, the welfare of women and youth, community involvement (mobilization and ownership), and appropriate integration of prevention/care/support/socioeconomic mitigation)
-
Potential for coordination and leveraging other inputs (public, donor, and private resources).
