Logic Model & Theory of Change

A logic model is a systematic and visual way to present the relationships among:

  • the resources you have to operate your program,

  • the activities you plan to implement/are implementing,

  • the results you hope to achieve (outputs and outcomes),

  • and the impact of those accomplishments (long-term outcomes)

Logic models help plan, implement, evaluate, and communicate the work of programs and initiatives more effectively. They often list an inventory of the human, financial, and other inputs needed to operate a program, and then describe the sequence of activities that are expected to result in clearly-articulated outputs and outcomes.

A logic model shows how activities are linked to the expected results and provides stakeholders with a road map that they themselves can navigate, regardless of background. By visualizing a program as a framework, people can quickly understand the outcomes and potential impacts of a particular program or service.

Funders, organizations, and staff rely on logic models to quickly comprehend a program’s purpose and goals and understand how specific individuals, agencies, or companies ‘fit’ into projects. Other similar tools include a Theory of Change, LogFrame, Logical Framework, or Program Framework.

When combined with a theory of change, logic models can offer tangible opportunities to learn what works (and why), and may create opportunities for additional investment to support improvements, expansion, or replication.

What is a Theory of Change?

A Theory of Change links outcomes and activities by explaining how and why the desired change is expected to emerge. Theories of Change typically start with a goal (like reducing childhood lead poisoning) and the best practices that can help reach that goal, before describing which programmatic approaches are needed.

Theories of Change and Logic Models complement each other, and both can greatly improve program design and evaluation.

Logic Models are great when you need to:

  • Show someone something they can understand at a glance

  • Demonstrate that the basic inputs, outputs and outcomes have been identified

  • Summarize a complex program and project into basic categories

Theories of Change are best when you need to:

  • Design a complex initiative and want to have a rigorous plan for success

  • Evaluate appropriate outcomes against a standard of success

  • Explain why an initiative worked or did not work, and what went wrong

 

How-To: Logic Models

Use these videos to learn more about using logic models to structure and plan your work.

 

Logic Models for Quality Improvement

Logic Models for Public Health

Intro to Theory of Change

Strategies & Tips for Success

Make your logic modeling efforts more effective by keeping these strategies and tips in mind:

  • Before you start, review best practice research and practitioner experience

  • Goals and objectives must be both plausible and possible

  • Prioritize program aspects most critical for tracking and reporting

  • Define intended program needs, activities, and impact

  • Involve and engage stakeholders in the design, process, and use

  • Feedback and improvement helps to generate a consensus view of the program

  • Feedback is a critical practice to increase program capacity and diversity of perspective

  • Logic models increase the practitioner’s voice in the domains of planning, design, implementation, analysis, and knowledge generation

  • Logic model should reflect group process and shared understanding

  • Collecting feedback iteratively helps to identify common ground and anticipate potential conflicts

  • Programs and life change over time, logic models should also change

  • Treat the logic model as a working draft, living document

 

Practical Activities & Learning

1) Review selected documentation related to the Lead Safe Task Force (link to folder on request)

2) Review the documentation a second time, this time making notes of or underlining key words and phrases

3) Label the underlined words and phrases as inputs, activities, outputs, short-term, or long-term outcomes

4) Create a program logic model using the key words and phrases you identified

5) Logic models should include inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes (short-term), and impact (long-term outcomes); and should be logically-ordered to be read from top to bottom (in terms of priority) and from left to right (inputs to impact)

 

In the Field

As a neighborhood consultant, you can submit up to 3 logic model worksheets for the programs, processes, and services you’re working on. Notes and outputs should be summarized and shared to enhance our learning.

Logic Model Field Journal Worksheets available on request from aaron[at]akroadvice.com