2. Understandability

Effective SEA reports communicate SEA performance information in a readily understandable manner and include explanations and interpretations to help users comprehend the infomation.  In doing so, the following attributes of the reported SEA performance information need to be considered:

  • Does the SEA performance information communicate a governmental entity’s performance in a readily understandable manner?

Understandable SEA performance information is expressed simply and clearly.  It is possible for a user to become overloaded with information and either lose interest or become confused due to a great volume of information.  Especially at more summary levels of a report, it is important to be very selective in choosing what SEA performance measures to include.  Actual and potential users of this information have different interests, needs, and levels of knowledge.    It is important to obtain input and feedback from users in order to enhance the understandability of the SEA performance information being reported.

  • Does the SEA performance information  communicate performance in different forms?

Understandable SEA performance information is communicated in different forms.  Including tables, charts and graphs supplemented by narrative information is a necessary to make the information understandable to a broad range of users.

  • Does the SEA performance information include explanations and interpretations to help users comprehend the information?

Understandable SEA performance information presents an objective, narrative description of results in addition to charts, tables, and graphs.  These explanations should be relevant to the subject being discussed and as brief as possible.

  • Does the SEA performance information include different levels of detail so that users can find the appropriate and desired levels of  information for their interests and needs?

Understandable SEA performance information is reported at different levels of detail so users can find the appropriate and desired level of detail of SEA performance information for their interests and needs.  The information in an SEA report should be organized in a hierarchical structure proceeding through levels (layers) from overview to detail with the various levels clearly linked so that the users can go from level to level without difficulty.

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