Infrastructure policy should be based on data. Governments should put in place systems that ensure a systematic collection of relevant data and institutional responsibility for analysis, dissemination, and learning from this data.

Relevant data should be disclosed to the public in an accessible format and in a timely fashion.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

• The fundamental element that enhances the solidity of any kind of value for money test is data.
  
  
• Unfortunately, there is a lack of systematic data collection regarding the cost and performance of infrastructure assets.
  
  
• While many countries do collect data, most of the data that would be required to compare the overall costs of projects financed through various alternative mechanisms is not systematically collected, processed or disclosed.
  
  
• The use of Key Performance Indicators (KPI) is rapidly developing and proving a strong tool to monitor and benchmark the performance of infrastructure in their delivery phase.
  
  
• However, there can be difficulty in agreeing on a common methodology for KPIs and the capacity needed both on the regulators’ part and the utilities’ part to provide meaningful quality information that informs the key processes.

KEY POLICY QUESTIONS:

• Is there a mandatory system to ensure systematic collection of relevant financial and non-financial data during the project development?
  
  
• Is there a mandatory system to ensure collection of relevant financial and non-financial data about the performance of infrastructure?
  
  
• Is there sufficient data to compare various forms of infrastructure delivery models? Are they compared based on data?

• Is financial and non-financial data about the project (ex-ante and performance) disclosed to the public?

IS THERE A CENTRAL COLLECTION OF PERFORMANCE INFORMATION SO THAT INFRASTRUCTURE MODELS CAN BE COMPARED?

BENCHMARK INDICATORS

• Central unit (Central Infrastructure Unit, Central Budget Authority) for the collection, disclosure and analysis of data;
  
  
• Choice of delivery modality and projects is based on data;
  
  
• Infrastructure investment flow data (in sectorial breakdown);
  
  
• Infrastructure investment stock data (in sectorial breakdown).

GETTING INFRASTRUCTURE RIGHT

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Overview of current practices in infrastructure governance and practical tools to help manage infrastructure. Getting Infrastructure Right