Once a Mission or Washington Operating Unit (OU) has identified an appropriate number of performance and context indicators that meet their information needs, it is time to develop reference information for the indicators, done through indicator reference sheets. A Performance Indicator Reference Sheet (PIRS) is required for each performance indicator. A Context Indicator Reference Sheet (CIRS) is recommended for context indicators.
In order to ensure the provision of consistent, timely, and high quality data, each indicator is required to have certain pieces of reference information associated with them. Such information includes not only a definition, but clarifies the source of the data, the frequency with which it will be collected, and any necessary disaggregation of data, among other elements.
PIRS and CIRS should be accessible to all parties collecting, analyzing, or using indicator data.