CPE Performance Measurement & Indicators 2

Question 1

What is the difference between leading and lagging indicators?

Accepted Answer

Leading indicators predict future performance; lagging indicators measure past performance

Answer

Leading indicators measure short-term results; lagging indicators measure long-term results

Answer

Leading indicators are quantitative; lagging indicators are qualitative measures

Answer

Leading indicators are collected by staff; lagging indicators are collected by participants

Question 2

Which of the following best describes a 'proxy indicator'?

Accepted Answer

An indirect measure used when the actual outcome is too difficult or costly to measure directly

Answer

An indicator used exclusively by external evaluators rather than program staff

Answer

An indicator that measures program inputs rather than outputs or outcomes

Answer

A measure that is reported by a third party rather than program staff

Question 3

Which of the following is a key consideration when selecting performance indicators for a program evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Indicators should align with the program's logic model and intended outcomes

Answer

Indicators should be easy to collect regardless of their relevance to program goals

Answer

More indicators always provide a more complete picture of program performance

Answer

Indicators should focus exclusively on quantitative data for objectivity

Question 4

What is a performance 'dashboard' in the context of program evaluation?

Accepted Answer

A visual display that aggregates key performance indicators for quick monitoring

Answer

A formal report generated at the end of each program cycle for funders

Answer

A method for collecting data from multiple stakeholder groups simultaneously

Answer

A spreadsheet used to calculate and track program costs over time

Question 5

When setting performance targets, evaluators should ensure that targets are:

Accepted Answer

Ambitious enough to challenge staff but realistic given available resources and context

Answer

Based solely on funder requirements without regard to program context

Answer

Deliberately vague to allow for flexible interpretation after the fact

Answer

Based exclusively on national benchmark data regardless of local conditions

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of benchmarking in performance measurement?

Accepted Answer

To compare a program's performance against standards, peers, or best practices

Answer

To evaluate individual staff performance against organizational standards

Answer

To determine the statistical significance of outcome differences

Answer

To establish budget allocations for the next program cycle

Question 7

Which of the following represents a composite indicator?

Accepted Answer

An index combining multiple measures such as education, income, and health into a single score

Answer

A single survey question asking participants to rate their satisfaction

Answer

A simple count of participants who completed the program

Answer

A time-series measure of monthly service utilization rates