PowerPoint Presentation

Developing a Logic Model orTheory of Change

What is a Logic Model?

•A logic model presents a picture of how your effortor initiative is supposed to work. It explains whyyour strategy is a good solution to the problem athand.

•Effective logic models make an explicit, often visual,statement about what activities will bring aboutchange and what results you expect to see for thecommunity and its people.

•Having a logic model keeps everyone moving in thesame direction, providing a common language and acommon point of reference.

When can a logic model beused?

•During planning

•During implementation

•During staff and stakeholderorientation

•During evaluation

•During advocacy

How do you create a logicmodel?

•Find the logic in existing written materials tocreate your first draft.

•Determine the appropriate scope of the modelfor its intended users and uses. Considercreating a family of models for multiple users.

•Check whether the model makes sense and iscomplete.

•Attend to the nuts and bolts of drawing themodel.

•Revisit and be ready to revise the model asnecessary.

What makes a logic modeleffective?

•Logically links activities and effects.

•Is visually engaging (simple, parsimonious)yet contains the appropriate degree ofdetail for the purpose (not too simple ortoo confusing).

•Provokes thought, triggers questions.

•Includes forces known to influence thedesired outcomes.

What are the benefits andlimitations of logic modeling?

Benefits

Logic models…

•Integrate planning, implementation, and evaluation.

•Prevent mismatches between activities and effects.

•Leverage the power of partnerships.

•Enhance accountability by keeping stakeholders focused onoutcomes.

•Help set priorities for allocating resources.

Logic models…

•Reveal data needs and provide a framework for interpreting results.

•Enhance learning by integrating research findings and practicewisdom.

•Define a shared language and shared vision for community change.

Limitations

•First, no matter how logical it seems, there isalways a danger that your model will not becorrect.

•Establishing the appropriate boundaries of alogic model can be a difficult challenge.

•On a purely practical level, logic modeling canalso be time consuming, requiring lots of energyin the beginning and continued attentionthroughout the life of an initiative.