Q&A from December 1, 2011 FTFMS Webinar

The webinar covered topics such as system access and approval, data entry schedule, and narratives. The FTFMS system is linked to the OP, importing budget data, basic implementing mechanism information, FTF Key Issues narratives, and implementing mechanism planning narratives. However, it is not linked to the PPR and does not import indicator data from FACTSInfo. This means that users must enter data into the FTFMS, even though some information may be available in the PPR. One of the required FTF indicators, 4.5-3 (Percent Change in Agricultural GDP), is required in the PPR, while the other required indicators rely on population-based surveys and do not need to be reported in the PPR this year. The PPR requires gross margins, but users should report on gross margins without disaggregation and set targets at the indicator level only. To ensure data consistency between the PPR and the FTFMS, users should enter data into the FTFMS and compare it with the PPR. The FTFMS offers two columns for entering FY2011 results and FY2012 targets, with the first column labeled "PPR" and the second column labeled "Updated." Users can update data in the "Updated" column if they have received new or more accurate information. Regarding access and approval, users can add contact information for implementing partners to access the system and input results. Each Mission determines data entry responsibilities and approval, and data can be entered by implementing partners, M&E contractors, or Mission staff. Data is only sent to BFS after it has been approved by the Mission. The system handles indicators that are not applicable to projects but remain required by creating an "implementing mechanism" for each FTF Focus Country to report on national-level indicators. Users can also add comments to indicators and update 2011 targets, but the latter is not active and cannot be entered. The data entry schedule for the FTFMS includes a deadline of January 25 for entering FY2011 data. The system will close on this date to prepare data for the FY2011 FTF Annual Report, but will re-open in April or May to collect missing information. Narratives, including project performance narratives and key issue narratives, are also discussed in the webinar. Project performance narratives are new and not included in the PPR, while key issue narratives are required and should be attached as a Word document to the FTFMS.