This indicator measures whether FP/RH programs are actively monitoring and managing the procurement planning process among various suppliers/donors to ensure FP/RH commodity security. Theoretically, if a program is actively monitoring this process, it will improve the accuracy and timeliness of procurements, thereby: enabling the continuous availability of high-quality contraceptives; averting impending contraceptive shortages and stockouts; reducing duplication of efforts; and decreasing inefficiencies. Furthermore, it affords in-country stakeholders a mechanism to communicate important contraceptive security issues to decision-makers.

This indicator does not measure the timeliness of the program’s monitoring/management, nor does it measure the level of thoroughness and/or sophistication of the monitoring/managing process. As a result, it is difficult to compare this indicator across countries. Furthermore, this indicator does not measure the level at which the program monitors/manages procurement plans. Finally, this indicator does not reveal information about the quality of the procurement plans: for example, whether the quantity of contraceptives in the system was (accurately) documented, what shipments were previously scheduled, and whether the number of stockouts by method were taken into account when developing the forecast/supply plan.