How feasible is it to monitor and report on the overall performance of the humanitarian system?

During the first half of 2008 the Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance
in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP) undertook an exploratory study as the first part of what
was termed the Humanitarian Performance Project. The purpose of the study was to explore
“the feasibility of creating a mechanism for assessing and reporting on the overall
performance of the humanitarian system”. The preliminary results of the Humanitarian
Performance Project1 were presented to the ALNAP Biannual Meeting held in Madrid in
June 2008. This paper resulting from the exploratory phase seeks to pull together and
present more of the material and thinking developed during the exploratory study. Material
from this paper will also be used to inform Chapter 1 of the 8th Review of Humanitarian
Action : counting what counts: performance and effectiveness in the humanitarian sector.

The principle conclusion of the exploratory study is that the current array of projects,
initiatives and approaches to performance monitoring and reporting provide many of the
elements required to provide assessments of the overall performance of the Humanitarian
System. With some additional methodological development, improved coordination, a shift in
focus of performance assessment efforts from the programme level to the operation leve,
undertaking more operation-wide surveys to inform outcome assessments and greater
efforts to seek the views and opinions of beneficiaries and the affected populations, it will
become feasible to provide regular assessments of the overall performance of the
Humanitarian System.