Microenterprise Results Reporting Operations Manual

The manual is a reference for MRR's team that explains how to execute the project successfully, on time, and within budget. It contains detailed definitions used to classify USAID's microenterprise development projects, the yearly timeline and process for collecting mission and partner data, and descriptions of how the MRR website facilitates annual data collection. The MRR website was redesigned in 2009 to make it easier to use, with clear and concise screens that follow a customized workflow based on the data the user needs to enter. The system also contains context-sensitive help and built-in intelligence and validation checks that reviews data for common errors. From time to time, changing legislative requirements, refinements of microenterprise development terminology, and enhancements in USAID programming require updates to the MRR surveys and system. The operations manual will be updated periodically to reflect these improvements when they have a material impact on the process and timeline used to collect data. The primary tasks of the MRR project include USAID Mission/Operating Unit data collection and review, USAID Implementing Partner data collection and review, production of Annual Report to the U.S. Congress, and management and maintenance of the MRR website. Each task is described in more detail in the following sections of this manual. The MRR project timeline includes four tasks – A through D, with tasks A, B, and C corresponding with the MRR annual reporting cycle. The MRR database is a password-enabled "live" system that contains two types of data: funding data, provided by USAID field Missions and central offices, and project results data, provided by USAID's implementing partners. USAID Field Missions are responsible for reporting data on funding that pertains to microenterprise development for the most recently completed fiscal year. They report primarily on the most recently completed fiscal year, but also on planned obligation amounts for the subsequent fiscal year. Mission data include allocation and obligation information, implementing mechanism information, implementing partner name and contact information, and Mission contact information. USAID/Washington offices provide funding to microenterprise development activities and must also report to MRR. They are asked to provide the same data that the USAID field Missions are asked to provide. Implementing Partners are institutions that have been designated by USAID Missions as recipients of USAID obligations. These partners are responsible for entering program data on their microenterprise-related activities. MRR requests that each partner report on the results data on their entire activity to which USAID funds contributed. The MRR team should verify the current list of active Missions and Washington Operating Units that need to report to MRR with the MRR COTR in the Office of Microenterprise & Private Enterprise Promotion prior to Mission data collection. The team should also consider special circumstances and requests by USAID Missions and Operating Units. For example, in FY 2008 and FY 2009, the Regional Development Mission/Asia (RDM/A) requested that MRR not contact their implementing partners directly to collect data. The MRR team should review the list of USAID/Washington Offices to determine if there are any additional offices that need to report to MRR or any changes to existing offices. Each year, the MRR COTR should review the list of USAID/Washington Offices to determine if there are any additional offices that need to report to MRR or any changes to existing offices. The MRR team should also consider special circumstances and requests by USAID Missions and Operating Units. The MRR website facilitates annual data collection by providing a customized workflow based on the data the user needs to enter. The system also contains context-sensitive help and built-in intelligence and validation checks that reviews data for common errors. The MRR team should verify the current list of active Missions and Washington Operating Units that need to report to MRR with the MRR COTR in the Office of Microenterprise & Private Enterprise Promotion prior to Mission data collection. The MRR project timeline includes four tasks – A through D, with tasks A, B, and C corresponding with the MRR annual reporting cycle. Task A includes USAID Mission/Operating Unit data collection and review, Task B includes USAID Implementing Partner data collection and review, Task C includes production of Annual Report to the U.S. Congress, and Task D includes management and maintenance of the MRR website. Each task is described in more detail in the following sections of this manual.