The Accountability Cycle

Our Work

What is the Accountability Cycle?

There are many different ways to deliver accountability, and a multitude of tools and processes that are a best fit for specific challenges. What the accountability cycle describes is a high-level framework that captures the essential elements that underpin good accountability. They form a solid basis for identifying the processes, tools, and actions that need to be undertaken, and are a great place to start thinking about how accountability looks in any given arena.

The accountability framework we present here borrows heavily from the excellent work of the WHO's Global TB Program and its Multisectoral accountability framework to accelerate progress to end tuberculosis by 2030.

One of AAccountability's goals is to help drive powerful accountability cycles for all of the Sustainable Development Goals, and to build tools to help us do this. Too many people will be waiting too long if we do not accelerate our progress. Having the right tools that take advantage of some of the latest innovations in technology such as AI can help us get there so much faster, and with more equity.

An arrow curving clockwise from 9 to 12 o'clock.

An arrow curving clockwise from 12 to 3 o'clock.

Commitments

"We, Heads of State and Government, affirm our commitment..."

There are no shortage of commitments, made and agreed by governments and leaders at every level, that would address the vast and complex challenges we face. Sometimes we need to get new commitments, or more specific commitments, but many of the most important commitments exist.

Review

"The numbers speak for themselves."

But, sadly, they don't. Even the best monitoring needs review, the stage in this process where people are held accountable. Here, advocacy is essential as reviews are inherently political processes.

Actions

"Actions speak louder than words."

Commitments are nothing without actions designed to deliver impact. Actions require funding, management, and implementation, and are the part of the whole cycle that takes the most work - by far.

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Monitoring

"What gets measured, gets done."

It's a helpful phrase, and underscores the essential nature of tracking inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes. Without investing in solid, timely monitoring, we can't see if success has been achieved, or if we are miles off-track.