Creating A Logic Model: A Planning Tool That Works

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Creating A Logic Model A Planning Tool That Works

• Discovery 2003 Strategy Development Learning
  Seminar
• February 4, 2003

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A Tool That Can Help You. . .

• Think strategically
• Develop a common understanding among
  collaborating partners
• Identify appropriate outcomes and avoid
  over-promising
• Come to agreement about assumptions about how to
  make changes in your community
• Tell your story
• Monitor progress and modify strategies
• Make evaluation easier

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Definition of a Logic Model

• A description of what an initiative is expected
  to achieve and how it is expected to work.
• A picture of how your effort or initiative is
  supposed to work.
• A road map to help you get from here to there

Because, as Yogi Berra warned us If you dont
know where you are going, you might end up
someplace else.
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Foundation of a Logic Model

• The logic model rests on the logic (or theory) of
  how change happens.
• A theory of change spells out what you are trying
  to accomplish, chosen strategies, and how those
  strategies are expected to lead to the selected
  goals.

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The Essence of a Logic Model
Problem
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Unpacking the Logic Model
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Components of Problem Statements

• Describes current condition or issue
• Takes into account barriers to progress
• Institutional
• Legal
• Attitudes, beliefs, behaviors

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Unpacking the Logic Model
Inputs
Resources inside and outside a community that are
being brought to the process of change.
Also referred to as resources or infrastructure
(existing groups/efforts)
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Examples of Inputs

• Staff
• Data (not just numbers!)
• Funding
• Facilities
• Partnerships
• Other Stakeholders

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Unpacking the Logic Model
Strategies

• What collaborating partners will do to achieve
  the outcome.

Also referred to as activities or interventions
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Examples of Strategies

• Offer low-cost training and mentoring to child
  providers to increase the quality of care
• Develop a strategic communications effort to
  increase awareness in the community about the
  importance of high-quality early childhood
  experiences

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Strategies ChallengesStrategies vs. Tactics

• Stay at the strategic level above tactical
  considerations
• This is not a detailed work plan
• Where it fits depends on the LEVEL
• A strategy at the neighborhood level may be a
  tactic or action step at the community level

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Unpacking the Logic Model
Outputs

• Immediate and direct results of the strategies,
  described in measurable terms.
• Tell you that the strategies were performed as
  planned.

Also referred to as immediate outcomes,
implementation outcomes, or markers of progress
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Examples of Outputs

• Numbers of people trained
• Number of brochures distributed
• Number of children provided with a particular
  service
• Participation rates
• Processes completed

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Unpacking the Logic Model
Outcome

• Specific results that the strategy is expected to
  produce at various points along the way

Also referred to as impacts or effects
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Types of Outcomes

• Changes in attitudes, behaviors, knowledge,
  skills, status or level of functioning
• Grouped in three stages
• Initial (1-3 years)
• Intermediate (4-6 years)
• Long-term (7-10 years)

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Examples of Outcomes

• Initial Outcomes
• Increase in awareness
• Parents gain certain skills
• Intermediate Outcomes
• New partnerships developed
• New programs implemented, funded
• Long-term Outcomes
• Changes in family and childrens status

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Logic Model
Problem
Strategies
Inputs
Outputs
Initial, Intermediate, Long-term Outcomes
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. . .the ultimate outcome ..Young Children!
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Practicing with a Logic Model

• Open the envelope on your table.
• Work with the people at your table to put the
  cards into a logic model, using the components
  weve discussed.

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Logic Model
Inputs
Outcomes
Outputs
Strategies
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A Logic Model. . .

• Is dynamic
• Forces groups to examine Will your actions get
  you where you want to be? (are they sufficient?)
• Serves as a tool for accountability
• Serves as a tool for strategic communications

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Pitfalls to Avoid

• Incorporating an inappropriate level of detail
• Glossing over the assumptions
• Getting stuck on a particular element
• Becoming bogged down in the planningnever
  getting to the doing

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Challenges in Using a Logic Model

• Providing sufficient time to engage in the
  process
• Resistance to applying quantitative measurement
  to this kind of work
• Staying alert for unintended outcomes

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Benefits of Using a Logic Model

• Can be used at all stages of the initiatives
  life cycle (planning, implementation, and
  evaluation)
• Defines a shared language and shared vision for
  community change
• Clarifies partners responsibilities
• Prevents mismatches between strategies and
  outcomes
• Leverages the power of partnerships