At the center of a Mission’s CDCS is the Results Framework (RF). The RF is a type of logic model that shows the results that USAID, in collaboration with its partners, expects to contribute to or achieve during the strategy period. It demonstrates the connection between short- and long-term results, and how different teams within USAID work together. It is one of the most critical outputs in the CDCS development process.
A RF has a number of different components both in the graphic itself and associated with the CDCS:
Development Hypothesis: The theory of change, logic, and relationships between the building blocks needed to achieve or contribute to a long-term development result. It explains why and how the proposed investments from USAID and others are expected to collectively contribute to, or lead to achieving, the development objectives in a CDCS.
Development Objectives: Typically, the most ambitious result to which a Mission, together with its development partners, will contribute through its interventions.
Intermediate Results (IR)s: A component of a RF in a Mission’s CDCS. IRs are measurable results that may capture a number of discrete and more specific lower-level results and often define the purpose of projects.
Assumptions: The stated conditions, behaviors, and/or critical events outside the control of the strategy, project, or activity that must be in place to achieve results. Assumptions form part of the complete theory of change regarding the conditions under which change is envisioned to occur.
Budget Assumptions: Conditions that underpin a number of different budget scenarios which factor in levels of OU funding, fundings from the centrally funded mechanisms, and any changes in agency priorities.
A RF usually contains several high priority development objectives, and the presence of trade objectives or IRs are not always apparent. RDCS often has more language around trade because it often lands as a transnational issue. However, there are a number of different RFs in CDCS and RDCS with a trade component such as these examples of IRs below:
- Kenya CDCS: Kenya’s Trade and Investment Within the Region and Beyond Increased
- Central Asia RDCS: Barriers to Trade Reduced
- RDMA RDCS: High Quality and Transparent Cross-Border Investments Promoted
- Armenia CDCS: Access to Diverse Markets Improved
- West Africa Regional RDCS: Regional Trade and Investment in Targeted Products and Services Increased
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For more information, please contact Paul Fekete.
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