Content
The Compendium serves as a comprehensive repository of all existing WFP indicator methodologies, called methodological notes. It is a practical reference tool to support WFP staff and partners in understanding, selecting and using indicators within the WFP Corporate Results Framework (CRF) 2026-29.
Each methodological note follows a standard format and can vary slightly depending on which category the indicator belongs. For an overview of the standard information fields and content for each indicator, see methodological note templates (outcome, output, cross-cutting and MR KPIs).
The essential components of each indicator methodology, include the title and definition; its stated purpose and rationale; its method of calculation; the description of the data collection methodology, tools and frequency; as well as available disaggregation requirements.
The indicator methodologies also include a field on the applicability of indicators that provide essential guidance to COs in selecting indicators at different programmatic stages, ranging from CSP design to reporting. This section enhances WFP's evidence generation by enabling COs to choose indicators that accurately reflect the context specific work being done while also allowing for aggregation for corporate trend analysis and reporting using a standard rubric.
For household level indicators, data collection can be carried out relying on questionnaires developed with WFP Survey Designer, to ensure data quality standards are met in alignment with corporate methodologies.
Management Result (MR) KPIs complement this framework by providing a structured lens for assessing WFP’s organizational performance. They track progress on management practices, systems, and enabling functions that underpin programme delivery. By systematically measuring areas such as oversight, risk management, coordination, and operational efficiency, MR KPIs strengthen internal accountability, promote evidence‑based management decisions, and help ensure that WFP’s institutional capabilities remain aligned with its strategic objectives and UN‑wide performance expectations.
The Role of Indicators
Role of Programmatic Indicators
Programmatic indicators are metrics that provide information to measure progress on WFP's Strategic Plan and CO CSPs. Indicator results are used to inform strategic decision making (at all levels of the organization) on programme design, implementation or adjustments. Use of evidence, especially on the costs, benefits and impacts of various programmes, extends to advocacy, fundraising and improved accountability to affected populations.
Indicator methodological notes allow data collection to be conducted in a systematic manner, in accordance with recognized standards. Indicators are necessary to enable reliable and consistent reporting of quantifiable data that informs food security actions and measures processes, output, outcome and effectiveness. When feasible, quantitative indicators should be complemented by and triangulated with qualitative data to show the full results of WFP’s assistance and incorporate the perceptions of diverse populations in WFP’s evidence base.
Role of Management KPIs
The Management KPIs measure the performance of Global Headquarters (GHQ) in providing leadership and direction, operational support, advocacy and resources mobilization, and independent oversight in order to support COs to deliver WFP strategic plan through CSP.
Management Result (MR) KPIs in the Compendium reflect WFP’s commitment to greater coherence within UN wide monitoring frameworks. Where applicable, MR KPIs draw on UN Common and Complementary Indicators as well as QCPR metrics. Where unique to WFP, they remain clearly categorized while maintaining coherence with broader UN norms. Incorporating indicators in this manner enhances comparability across UN entities, supports harmonized accountability for organizational effectiveness, and strengthens WFP’s contribution to collective results.
Indicator Category, Type, Classification and Scope
Within the WFP Indicator Compendium and methodological notes, a standard taxonomy exists. Please refer to this section to understand the indicator naming architecture.
Category
There are four broad indicator categories within the WFP Indicator Compendium: programmatic indicators that measure outcomes and outputs1, as well as cross-cutting indicators under seven priority areas aligned with specific policy commitments, and management result key performance indicators (MR KPIs) formulated across four key management result areas. See Figure 1. To note, WFP measures impact via its contribution to Ending Hunger and other UN-shared impact level objectives. For this reason, there are no impact level indicator methodologies in this Compendium but can be found on the UN website. For measuring impact, please refer to WFP corporate evaluations.
Figure 1: WFP Indicator Categories
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Type
Across the programmatic indicator categories (outcome, output and cross-cutting), there are two types of indicators measured through different tools or processes resulting in different reporting expectations: corporate level and country level. See Figure 2.
Figure 2: WFP Indicator Type and Classification
Classification
Within the country-level indicators, there are three classifications to denote applicability. See Figure 2. Together, these three classifications offer flexibility for CO CSPs while ensuring comparability and continuity in measurement, allowing longitudinal data collection and multi-year trend analysis.
Mandatory - indicators standardised across all operations that provide core data for aggregating WFP’s corporate indicators and global reporting
Complementary - give additional standardized options for COs to adapt their reporting to their operating environment
Country-specific - indicators that allow COs to address local priorities and donor requirements
Scope
Within country level indicators, there are three areas of scope in which an indicator can be sorted:
Generic - which refer to indicators related to beneficiaries or transfers that can be used across all types of interventions. They are designed to be flexible and are applied using the relevant sub-activities (previous tags) to reflect the specific intervention or context being monitored.
Sector Neutral - which refer to indicators that are not tied to a specific sector, given that institutions in different sectors require similar structures and functional capacities (such as policies, accountability frameworks, budgets etc). They can be used to monitor different types of Country Capacity Strengthening (CCS) engagements (e.g. strengthening national EPR capacities, or capacities for malnutrition management) and can be applied using one or multiple sub-activities depending on the nature of the support.
Programme Specific - which are indicators designed to monitor a specific programme. They are only applicable to one standard activity and its associated sub‑activity(ies) and are used where more tailored, programme‑level measurement is required.
From Measurement to Reporting
Corporate level indicators are aggregated for reporting in the Annual Performance Report (APR) produced by WFP Global HQ (aggregated from mandatory country-level indicators) and country level indicators (all categories and classifications) are calculated for reporting in the Annual Country Reports (ACR) produced by each WFP Country Office (CO). The indicator category of Management KPIs is to be analysed and reported on by WFP Global HQ in the APR. See Figure 3.
Figure 3: Indicator Measurement to Reporting
How to Read a WFP Methodological Note
The following are the standard methodological note templates for each category and type of indicator, with descriptions per section to facilitate understanding and implementation. While many of the sections are the same across the templates, at times there exists different business rules dependent on the indicator category, type and/or classification. ADD LINKS
MN Templates | Corporate Level | Country Level |
|---|---|---|
Outcome | Download here | Download here |
Output | Download here | Download here |
Cross-cutting | Download here | Download here |
Management Result KPIs | Download here | N/A |
Please see this mapping for updates of country level indicators across CRF 22-25 and CRF 26-29.
1WFP distinguishes between “outputs” and “other outputs” within output monitoring to enable more comprehensive and accurate reporting. Output indicators capture direct beneficiaries (Tier 1) and the associated transfer values. Other output indicators capture indirect (Tier 2) beneficiaries as well as assets, knowledge and capacity, commodities or services WFP delivers. All output indicators include additional layers of disaggregation. These data points form an integral part of each indicator and provide further detail on the outputs achieved. For other output indicators, data can be collected either through detailed indicators or table items. These are internal WFP reporting mechanisms designed to support more precise output monitoring. A key example is the other output indicator T.10 “Number of assets built, restored or maintained by targeted households and communities, by type and unit of measure.” This indicator includes three detailed indicators, each requiring further specification through table items due to the diversity of asset types and units of measurement.