Page 14 - U4SSC Factsheet, Valencia, Spain, June 2020

Benchmarks and Scoring Methodology

As part of the U4SSC KPI project, benchmarks were developed for most KPIs to develop a reporting
framework to demonstrate to cities how their performance could be reported.

The benchmarks were set based on several factors:

• Meeting the aligned SDG fully.
• Performance compared to other international and transnational targets (e.g. OECD, European
Commission).
• Performance against UN agency goals (e.g., International Telecommunication Union).

• Evaluation of city performance using UN and other international statistical data.
• Performance measured versus leading city performance globally.

Performance to benchmarks were then scored in four ranges for every KPI and data point reported:

• 0 – 33 % of target – 1 pt

• 33 – 66 % of target – 2 pts
• 66 – 95 % of target – 3 pts

• 95 + % of target – 4 pts

The scores for each reported KPI and data point were added to give a percentage score for categories,
sub-dimensions and dimensions and reported based on the above target scores. KPIs or data points
that are not reported or have no benchmarks yet defined were excluded.

Example: Education 4 KPIs

• If all 4 are reported and the scores are 1 pt, 3 pts, 4 pts and 1 pt;

Total score 9 pts out of 16 = 56.25 % reported as 33 – 66 % of target.
• If only 3 are reported and the scores are 3 pts, 4 pts and 2 pts;

Total score 9 pts out of 12 = 75 % reported as 66 – 95 % of target.

U4SSC unique method

The originality of U4SSC’s method lies in the fact that it regards ICTs and digital technologies not as an end
in themselves, but rather as tools with which to make a meaningful contribution to achieving the SDGs in
an increasingly digitalized landscape. Approximately one-third of the U4SSC KPIs concern digitalization
(for example, Student ICT Access) and two-thirds primarily concern sustainable development and

8 U4SSC Factsheet | Valencia, Spain | June 2020