The Economic Cooperation and Development Division was one of the first federal offices to implement an ISO 9001 certified Quality Management System subject to an independent audit each year.

This system serves to:

• determine the most important processes and work methods
• clearly distribute tasks, responsibilities and areas of competence
• back up the methods used and existing know-how by documenting them

This continuously improves institutional learning and ultimately the work itself.

Moreover, SECO follows the principle of results-based management in its operations. Specifically, this means that the planning of projects and programmes must include performance indicators to measure the results of an activity. These indicators serve as a benchmark during the implementation of a project or in its evaluation. Information on the results achieved allows for strategic control of the activities and helps to increase the effectiveness (as defined in the DAC Guidelines).

Since the beginning of 2012, a set of standard indicators have been applied all thematic areas, thus providing for consistent reporting across all areas.

Three tools support the implementation of result-based management:

• Logical Framework (Logframe) Manual 
• Manual on indicators
• Primer on Results-Based Management

Improving the effectiveness of our work is an ongoing process requiring constant review of our systems for quality and results-based management. Further publication of our projects' evaluations increases the transparency of our activities.