målutdata

Målutdata is a Swedish term used in evaluation and performance management to describe data that reflect the outcomes of set goals or targets. It focuses on results and impact rather than input or process measures. Målutdata can be quantitative, such as percentages or counts, and it can also include qualitative assessments of goal achievement.

Used within organizations, programs and public administration, målutdata serve to monitor progress, inform decision-making, and report to stakeholders. They help determine whether strategies produce the intended effects and support accountability for results.

Sources for målutdata include administrative records, surveys, program databases, and monitoring systems. Common indicators measure outcomes such as educational attainment, health status, employment, or user satisfaction. Distinguishing outcome indicators from process indicators is essential, as the former aim to capture end results linked to the goals.

Collection and analysis involve specifying baselines and targets, collecting data at regular intervals, and comparing observed values with targets. Analysts may use trend analysis, benchmarking, and attribution approaches to interpret results and identify contributing factors. Data quality, timeliness, and privacy are important considerations.

Challenges include data gaps, attribution of effects to specific actions, and changing targets. Overemphasis on numbers can obscure context; mitigate by clear definitions, data governance, and complementing quantitative data with qualitative insights.

Examples include a municipality aiming to reduce average waiting times in emergency departments, where målutdata would track wait times and patient flow; or a school district aiming to raise graduation rates, monitored through graduation statistics and exam results.