What a useful baseline should decide before fieldwork starts
By NCS Team
A baseline is strongest when it is designed around the decisions a programme needs to make, not only the indicators it needs to report.
A useful baseline does more than fill empty cells in a logframe. It clarifies what the programme is trying to change, which indicators matter most, what level of precision is needed, and how the findings will be used by managers, partners, and donors.
Before fieldwork starts, NCS works with clients to check indicator definitions, sampling assumptions, data sources, respondent groups, disaggregation needs, and ethical risks. This avoids a common problem: collecting large volumes of data that are difficult to interpret or defend.
The strongest baseline reports link numbers to context. Quantitative results establish benchmark values, while interviews and focus groups explain barriers, incentives, power dynamics, and implementation risks. Together, they give programme teams a clearer starting point for decisions and learning.