> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.pears.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.pears.io/plan/action-plans/outcomes-and-indicators.md).

# Add Outcomes & Indicators

Learn how to define outcomes and measurable indicators for an action plan in PEARS.

The Outcomes and Indicators section defines the changes you expect your programming to produce and the measurable indicators that will track progress. Outcomes are organized by time frame: short-term, medium-term, and long-term.

## Navigate to the Outcomes and Indicators Page

After completing the Outputs section, PEARS directs you to the Outcomes and Indicators page. If the plan does not include evaluation, this section is hidden. You can also access it from the action plan detail page by clicking **Outcomes & Indicators** in the progress panel.

![Screenshot: The action plan Outcomes & Indicators page before any outcome is added, with the search box, the Any, Short, Medium and Long term filter, the State Level filter, the Add Outcome button, the No outcomes have been added message, and the Progress panel](https://2560412328-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff0820LrBGQ9ZA8SC4BR1%2Fuploads%2F57FjTO7dqYV6yNZvQ28i%2Faction-plan-outcomes-indicators-edit-page.png?alt=media)

## Add an Outcome

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Open the Add Outcome Form

Click the **Add Outcome** button above the list of outcomes.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Enter the Outcome

Enter the following, then click **Save**:

* **Short Name** **\*** — A brief label for the outcome (up to 100 characters).
* **Outcome Length** **\*** — The time frame of the outcome:
  * **Short** — Changes expected in the near term (e.g., increased knowledge or awareness).
  * **Medium** — Changes expected over several months (e.g., behavior changes).
  * **Long** — Changes expected over a year or more (e.g., health or economic outcomes).
* **Outcome Details** **\*** — A detailed description of the expected change.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Add Indicators to the Outcome

Each outcome should have at least one measurable indicator. Expand the outcome, click **Add Indicator**, and enter the following, then click **Save**:

* **Indicator Name** **\*** — A description of how the outcome will be measured (up to 350 characters).
* **Survey** and **Survey Question** (if your organization uses the Surveys module) — Optionally select an active survey, then the survey question that measures this indicator. Once a survey is selected, **Survey Question** is required.
* **Type** (if available) — Some organizations include a Type field to choose how the indicator is reported in the Action Plan Report. Select **Qualitative** (a textbox is provided for reporting) or **Quantitative** (a number field is provided for reporting). Selecting **Quantitative** reveals the Denominator field, if your organization displays it.
* **Denominator** — For quantitative indicators, optionally enter a denominator value.

![Screenshot: The Add Indicator dialog with the Indicator Name, Survey, Survey Question, Type and Denominator fields and the Save and Cancel buttons](https://2560412328-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff0820LrBGQ9ZA8SC4BR1%2Fuploads%2FHAka2hnhs5uYepNSuqav%2Faction-plan-add-indicator-dialog.png?alt=media)

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** Linking indicators to survey questions lets you export the responses to those questions from your action plan reports to review and summarize the data.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Add Additional Outcomes and Indicators

Repeat the steps above to add all outcomes and their indicators across each time frame. You can add multiple outcomes per term and multiple indicators per outcome.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Save and Continue

Click **Save and Continue** to proceed to the [Mark as Complete](/plan/action-plans/mark-an-action-plan-as-complete.md) page.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**NOTE:** The Outcomes and Indicators section is marked as complete only when the plan has at least one outcome and every outcome has at least one indicator. Outcomes without an indicator show a **Missing Indicators** badge.
{% endhint %}