Loan-tracking systems for NGO microcredit programmes
Loan-tracking systems may provide much more information than the current status of the loans. This article describes information that can be gathered on loan application forms to monitor the economic impact of the loan on business owners and their families. Programmes can track changes by comparing applications for initial and repeat loans. The systems reviewed typically monitored changes in the client enterprises and reported key changes separately for men and women, but gave little information on their socio-economic characteristics. The study suggests that loan-tracking systems can often be implemented at a relatively low cost, and even simple systems can generate useful information for guiding programmes.
Tracking the impact of microenterprise programs: the experience of nongovernmental organizations
In September 1995, US AID funded a five-year project on Assessing the Impact of Microenterprise Services (AIMS). Initially AIMS supported a survey to determine existing practices among 41 members of the Small Enterprise Education and Promotion Network (SEEP) and several associated overseas programs. The most commonly perceived weaknesses of the NGOs' impact information systems were insufficient rigor and reliability of data, inability to collect the desired information, lack of standard indicators, and difficulties obtaining timely data. The main reported strengths were simplicity and low cost
Research requirements to reduce maintenance costs of civil helicopters
The maintenance problems faced by the operators of civil helicopters that result in high costs are documented. Existing technology that can be applied to reduce maintenance costs and research that should be carried out were identified. Good design practice and application of existing technology were described as having a significant impact on reducing maintenance costs immediately. The research and development that have potential for long range reduction of maintenance costs are presented.