« What gets measured gets done »: what does it mean?
‘What gets measured gets done’ is a very old expression in the English language. It expresses the idea that if goals are translated into clear, measurable outcomes, it becomes easier to achieve them. This is also what underlies the idea of evidence-based policy making, which is a very important condition to guarantee water security .
Why measure progress in the water sector?
The Freshwater Monitor is committed to building a world in which freshwater and sanitation are managed holistically, sustainably, equitably and for the well-being of all. This requires the translation of international and national legal and policy commitments in the field of freshwater and sanitation into concrete and measurable targets and indicators which form the basis for planning, concrete interventions, and the monitoring and evaluation of results.In the ideal case, these targets and indicators refer to how legal and policy goals will be achieved (through budget allocations, deployment of staff, capacity building, rollout of infrastructure, etc. ) as well as what the ultimate outputs will be (quantities of water, water quality standards, continuity of supply, accessibility, pricing, and the expected outcomes (public health, economic development, tourism and recreation, nature conservation, etc.). In reality, however, there may be obstacles to the smooth implementation of these commitments, such as:
- a lack of accurate and up to date data
- the need to upgrade data collection and management systems
- the need to integrate new targets and indicators into day to day management practices
- the need for capacity building on the requirements of new targets and indicators
The FM provides technical support to enable a smooth integration of commitments such as SDG 6 into day to day planning. envisages a full integration of these targets and indicators into both the planning cycle and into the ‘living tissue’ of water and sanitation governance. This requires a focus on targets, indicators, monitoring mechanisms and data management.
The Freshwater Monitor is committed to building a world in which freshwater and sanitation are managed holistically, sustainably, equitably and for the well-being of all. This requires the translation of international and national legal and policy commitments in the field of freshwater and sanitation into concrete and measurable targets and indicators which form the basis for planning, concrete interventions, and the monitoring and evaluation of results.In the ideal case, these targets and indicators refer to how legal and policy goals will be achieved (through budget allocations, deployment of staff, capacity building, rollout of infrastructure, etc. ) as well as what the ultimate outputs will be (quantities of water, water quality standards, continuity of supply, accessibility, pricing, and the expected outcomes (public health, economic development, tourism and recreation, nature conservation, etc.). In reality, however, there may be obstacles to the smooth implementation of these commitments, such as:
- a lack of accurate and up to date data
- the need to upgrade data collection and management systems
- the need to integrate new targets and indicators into day to day management practices
- the need for capacity building on the requirements of new targets and indicators
The FM provides technical support to enable a smooth integration of commitments such as SDG 6 into day to day planning. envisages a full integration of these targets and indicators into both the planning cycle and into the ‘living tissue’ of water and sanitation governance. This requires a focus on targets, indicators, monitoring mechanisms and data management.
