Publication: Setting Targets in Health, Nutrition and Population Projects
Date
2011-09
ISSN
Published
2011-09
Author(s)
Arur, Aneesa
Mohammed-Roberts, Rianna
Bos, Eduard
Abstract
This note discusses different ways for
setting targets for indicators commonly used in World Bank
Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP) projects. It shows
how targets can be set, using information about historical
progress, for a selection of HNP indicators. Targets are
defined as explicit commitments to achieve a result within a
defined time period, as measured by a quantitative or
qualitative change in an indicator. The selection of
indicators, which are clearly defined and useful for
measuring progress, is an important part of the process. The
note includes a discussion of general considerations for
selecting indicators for which targets are to be set. The
note also briefly reviews different methods that have been
used to set targets, including benchmarking, time-series
analysis, and projections, and multivariate regression
analysis. In some cases, a mixed-method approach that
combines elements from several different procedures is a
practical way to set targets. A checklist for target setting
including considerations about the availability of
baselines, factors affecting the potential for achieving
targets, and the need for data verification is also
included. The note is followed by annexes that show how
targets are derived through an analysis of changes in nine
key HNP indicators. The result of the analysis shows that,
in general, annual improvements have been fairly modest for
the HNP indicators included here. This finding underlines
the need for realism in setting targets, despite the
expectation that a Bank project will produce substantial
improvements. A second important point is that prior year
coverage rates (or outcomes) are not generally strong
predictors of improvements, strengthening the argument for
using multiple approaches when selecting targets.
Citation
“Arur, Aneesa; Mohammed-Roberts, Rianna; Bos, Eduard. 2011. Setting Targets in Health, Nutrition and Population Projects. Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP)
discussion paper;. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/1ca96832-5671-5919-adb0-f9c3f940b85c License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”