W.K.

Kellogg Foundation
Logic Model Development Guide
Using Logic Models to Bring Together Planning, Evaluation, and Action

Logic Model Development Guide

W.K. KELLOGG
FOUNDATION
To help people help themselves through the practical
application of knowledge and resources to improve
their quality of life and that of future generations.

Updated January 2004

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

One East Michigan Avenue East
Battle Creek, Michigan 49017-4058
www.wkkf.org

To receive additional copies of the Logic Model Development Guide,

please call 1/800/819-9997 and request item #1209.
 Contents

Introduction ..........................................................................................................III

Chapter 1
Introduction to Logic Models ........................................................................................1
The What and Why of the Logic Model ........................................................................1
Logic Model Definition ............................................................................................1
Logic Model Purpose ................................................................................................3
Trip Planning Logic Model Example..........................................................................3
Why Use a Logic Model?................................................................................................5
Program Success ..........................................................................................................5
Program Investments ..................................................................................................6
Simple Logic Model Basics ............................................................................................7
Logic Model Development..........................................................................................7
Reading a Logic Model ..............................................................................................7
Other Logic Model Examples ........................................................................................8
Theory Model ..........................................................................................................10
Outcomes Model ......................................................................................................11
Activities Model ........................................................................................................12

Chapter 2
Developing a Basic Logic Model for Your Program ......................................................15
Demonstrating Progress Toward Change ......................................................................16
Exercise 1 – Describing Results ....................................................................................16
Exercise 1 Checklist......................................................................................................20
Exercise 2 – Describing Actions....................................................................................21
Exercise 2 Checklist......................................................................................................23
Program Implementation Template – Exercise 1 & 2 ..................................................25

Chapter 3
Developing a Theory-of-Change Logic Model for Your Program..................................27
Exercise 3 - Constructing a Program Theory ................................................................28
Program Planning ......................................................................................................28
Exercise 3 Checklist....................................................................................................33
Program Planning Template – Exercise 3....................................................................34

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 Chapter 4
Using Your Logic Model to Plan for Evaluation ..........................................................35
Exercise 4 – Posing Evaluation Questions ....................................................................35
Formative/Summative Evaluation Questions ............................................................35
Evaluation Vantage Points Context, Implementation, Outcomes ..............................36
Focus Areas, Audiences, Questions, Information Use ................................................38
Audiences and Evaluation..........................................................................................42
Exercise 4 Checklist ..................................................................................................43
Evaluation Planning Template – Exercise 4 ..................................................................44
Exercise 5 – Establishing Indicators ..............................................................................45
Indicators of Success..................................................................................................45
Exercise 5 Checklist ..................................................................................................47
Indicators Development Template – Exercise 5 ........................................................48

Resource Appendix ........................................................................................49

Forms Appendix ................................................................................................53

Page II Logic Model Development Guide

Introduction
If you don’t know where you’re going, how are you gonna’ know when you get there?
–Yogi Berra

In line with its core mission – To help people help themselves through the practical application of knowledge
and resources to improve their quality of life and that of future generations – the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has
made program evaluation a priority. As our staff and grantees work on a spectrum of social improve-
ment programs, the need for shaping and contributing to the body of knowledge regarding evaluation
becomes increasingly clear. Our first guide, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Evaluation Handbook, was pub-
lished in 1998, and has been made available to nearly 7,500 people.The Evaluation Handbook is a prac-
tical, step-by-step manual for conducting evaluations.With the Handbook, we introduced the concept
of the program logic model and the ways in which applying this concept has added value to our
own work.

The program logic model is defined as a picture of how your organization does its work – the theory and
assumptions underlying the program.A program logic model links outcomes (both short- and long-term)
with program activities/processes and the theoretical assumptions/principles of the program.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Development Guide, a companion publication to the Evaluation
Handbook, focuses on the development and use of the program logic model.We have found the logic
model and its processes facilitate thinking, planning, and communications about program objectives and
actual accomplishments.Through this guide, we hope to provide an orientation to the underlying prin-
ciples and language of the program logic model so it can be effectively used in program planning,
implementation, and dissemination of results.

The premise behind this guide – and our view of the role of evaluation in programming – is simple:
Good evaluation reflects clear thinking and responsible program management. Over the years, our
experience in using logic models in initiatives such as the Kellogg Youth Initiative Partnerships,
Devolution, ENLACE (Engaging Latino Communities for Education), and the Native American
Higher Education Initiative, to name just a few, has provided ample evidence of the effectiveness of
these methods.

Learning and using tools like logic models can serve to increase the practitioner’s voice in the domains
of planning, design, implementation, analysis, and knowledge generation.The process of developing the
model is an opportunity to chart the course. It is a conscious process that creates an explicit under-
standing of the challenges ahead, the resources available, and the timetable in which to hit the target. In
addition, it helps keep a balanced focus on the big picture as well as the component parts.

In general, logic modeling can greatly enhance the participatory role and usefulness of evaluation as a
management and learning tool. Developing and using logic models is an important step in building
community capacity and strengthening community voice.The ability to identify outcomes and antici-
pate ways to measure them provides all program participants with a clear map of the road ahead. Map
in hand, participants are more confident of their place in the scheme of things, and hence, more likely
to actively engage and less likely to stray from the course – and when they do, to do so consciously
and intentionally. Because it is particularly amenable to visual depictions, program logic modeling can
be a strong tool in communicating with diverse audiences – those who have varying world views and
different levels of experience with program development and evaluation.

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Introduction
The Logic Model Development Guide contains four chapters and two comprehensive appendices.
Chapter 1 presents a basic introduction to the logic model as an action-oriented tool for program
planning and evaluation. It also offers an array of sample logic models.
Chapter 2 consists of exercises and examples focused on the development of a simple program logic
model. Exercises include practical examples, checklists for reviewing content quality, and a template
for developing a logic model.
Chapter 3 gives instructions on how to expand a basic logic model to explore and explain the theory-
of-change that describes the rationale for your program. A template and checklist are provided.
Chapter 4 offers two exercises that afford the reader with an introduction to how the basic logic
modeling techniques introduced in the previous chapters can be applied to inform thinking about
what should be included in an evaluation plan.Templates and checklists are also provided.
The Resources Appendix provides logic model development resources – references and Web sites worth
visiting.The Forms Appendix includes blank templates to copy when developing your own logic models.

Acknowledgements
This work builds on the experience of many at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation who pioneered the appli-
cation of logic modeling to their initiatives. For example, logic models were first used with the Kellogg
Youth Initiative Partnerships (KYIP). In this application, the models were instrumental in helping staff
establish program direction, implementation, an evaluation framework, and outcomes across three sites.
In KYIP, logic modeling was used to facilitate and guide the development of the specific assumptions
and processes that ultimately led to the transition of the initiative from a WKKF-operated program to a
community-owned program.WKKF program staff, including Tyrone Baines, Phyllis Meadows, Gerald
Smith, Judy Watson Olson, Steve Peffers, Joyce Brown, and John Seita were instrumental in these efforts.

Our work in developing the Logic Model Development Guide began at the request of Kellogg Foundation
Program Director Blas Santos who expressed a need for user-friendly tools and processes to support the
work of grantees in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Logic Model Development Guide represents a collaborative effort.We particularly want to acknowl-
edge the efforts of the Kellogg Foundation’s former director of evaluation, Ricardo Millett, and his
team of evaluation managers, including Astrid Hendricks-Smith and Mark Lelle, who have since left
the organization.Their tireless work among staff and grantees continues to promote the use of logic
models to plan, design, and manage initiatives. Dale Hopkins and Karin Ladley were instrumental in
bringing the material to print.We also wish to acknowledge the work of the Kellogg Foundation Vice
Presidents of Programs Rick Foster, Gail McClure, Dan Moore, and Gloria Smith, along with Senior
Vice President of Programs Anne Petersen, who have underscored the importance of evaluation,
embraced the logic model approach, and adopted it as a valued program support tool.

Special thanks are extended to Cynthia Phillips, a primary writer and consultant throughout the
development of this guide, and Work Volk Consultants, LLP, for formatting and editorial assistance.
Thanks, also, to Beverly Parsons of In Sites; Andrew Hahn and the students at the Florence Heller
Graduate School for Advanced Studies in Social Welfare, Brandeis University; Marc Osten, Summit
Consulting Collaborative; Sally Bond,The Program Evaluation Group; Joel Meister and Eva Moya,
University of Arizona; Amy Coates-Madsen and staff at Maryland Association of Nonprofit
Organizations; and Gail Randall, Greater Worchester Community Foundation.

–The Program Staff of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

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 Chapter 1

Introduction to Logic Models

Chapter One defines logic models and explains their usefulness to program stakeholders. You
will learn the relevance of this state-of-the-art tool to program planning, evaluation, and
improvement.

E
ffective program evaluation does more than collect, analyze, and provide data. It
makes it possible for you – program stakeholders – to gather and use information,
to learn continually about and improve programs that you operate in or fund.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation believes evaluation – especially program logic model
approaches – is a learning and management tool that can be used throughout a program’s
A program logic model is a life – no matter what your stake in the program. Using evaluation and the logic model
picture of how your pro- results in effective programming and offers greater learning opportunities, better docu-
gram works – the theory mentation of outcomes, and shared knowledge about what works and why. The logic
and assumptions underly- model is a beneficial evaluation tool that facilitates effective program planning, imple-
ing the program. ...This mentation, and evaluation.
model provides a road map
of your program, high-
lighting how it is expected The What and Why of the Logic Model
to work, what activities
need to come before others,
and how desired outcomes
The WHAT: Logic Model Definition
are achieved (p. 35).
Basically, a logic model is a systematic and visual way to present and share your under-
W.K. Kellogg standing of the relationships among the resources you have to operate your program, the
Foundation Evaluation activities you plan, and the changes or results you hope to achieve.
Handbook (1998)

Resources/
Activities Outputs Outcomes Impact
Inputs

1 2 3 4 5

Your Planned Work Your Intended Results

Figure 1. The Basic Logic Model.

The most basic logic model is a picture of how you believe your program will work. It uses
words and/or pictures to describe the sequence of activities thought to bring about change
and how these activities are linked to the results the program is expected to achieve.

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 Chapter 1

The Basic Logic Model components shown in Figure 1 above are defined below. These
components illustrate the connection between your planned work and your intended results.
They are depicted numerically by steps 1 through 5.

YOUR PLANNED WORK describes what resources you think you need to implement
your program and what you intend to do.

1. Resources include the human, financial, organizational, and community resources a

Most of the value in a logic program has available to direct toward doing the work. Sometimes this component
model is in the process of is referred to as Inputs.
creating, validating, and 2. Program Activities are what the program does with the resources. Activities are the
modifying the model … processes, tools, events, technology, and actions that are an intentional part of the program
The clarity of thinking implementation. These interventions are used to bring about the intended program
that occurs from building changes or results.
the model is critical to the
overall success of the pro- YOUR INTENDED RESULTS include all of the program’s desired results (outputs, out-
gram (p. 43). comes, and impact).
3. Outputs are the direct products of program activities and may include types, levels and
W.K. Kellogg Foundation targets of services to be delivered by the program.
Handbook (1998)
4. Outcomes are the specific changes in program participants’ behavior, knowledge, skills,
status and level of functioning. Short-term outcomes should be attainable within 1 to 3
years, while longer-term outcomes should be achievable within a 4 to 6 year timeframe.
The logical progression from short-term to long-term outcomes should be reflected in
impact occurring within about 7 to 10 years.
5. Impact is the fundamental intended or unintended change occurring in organizations,
communities or systems as a result of program activities within 7 to 10 years. In the cur-
rent model of WKKF grantmaking and evaluation, impact often occurs after the conclu-
sion of project funding.

The term logic model is frequently used interchangeably with the term program theory in
the evaluation field. Logic models can alternatively be referred to as theory because they
describe how a program works and to what end (definitions for each employed by leading
evaluation experts are included in the Resources Appendix).

The What: How to “Read” a Logic Model

When “read” from left to right, logic models describe program basics over time from
planning through results. Reading a logic model means following the chain of reasoning
or “If...then...” statements which connect the program’s parts. The figure below shows
how the basic logic model is read.

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 If these
If you benefits to
accomplish If you participants are
your planned accomplish achieved, then
If you have activities, then your planned certain changes
access to you will activities to the in organizations,
Certain them, then you hopefully deliver extent you communities,
resources are can use them the amount of intended, then or systems
needed to to accomplish product and/or your participants might be
operate your your planned service that will benefit in expected to
Sample Factors program activities you intended certain ways occur
influencing the trip:
Resources/
• Family members’ school Activities Outputs Outcomes Impact
Inputs
and work schedules
• The holidays 1 2 3 4 5
• Winter weather
• Frequent Flier availability Your Planned Work Your Intended Results

Figure 2. How to Read a Logic Model.

Sample Activities:
• Creating/checking family The WHY: Logic Model Purpose and Practical Application
schedules
The purpose of a logic model is to provide stakeholders with a road map describing the
• Gathering holiday flight sequence of related events connecting the need for the planned program with the pro-
and FF information gram’s desired results. Mapping a proposed program helps you visualize and understand
• Getting airport how human and financial investments can contribute to achieving your intended program
transportation goals and can lead to program improvements.
• Notifying Iowa relatives
A logic model brings program concepts and dreams to life. It lets stakeholders try an idea on
for size and apply theories to a model or picture of how the program would function. The
following example shows how the logic model approach works. (If you are familiar with logic
models, you may wish to skip ahead to the section entitled “Why Use A Logic Model?”)

An Example:
We are proposing an inexpensive family trip from Charleston, South Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa,
to visit relatives during December school holidays. The seasonal trip we dream of taking from
Charleston to Des Moines is the “program.” Basic assumptions about our trip “program” are:
• We want to visit relatives between 12/10/00 and 1/5/01 while the children are out of school.
• We will fly from South Carolina to Iowa because it takes less time than driving and because
frequent flier (FF) miles are available.
• Using frequent flier miles will reduce travel costs.
We have to determine the factors influencing our trip, including necessary resources, such as, the
number of family members, scheduled vacation time, the number of frequent flier miles we have,
round trip air reservations for each family member, and transportation to and from our home to
the airport. The activities necessary to make this happen are the creation of our own family holiday
schedule, securing our Iowa relative’s schedule, garnering air line information and reservations
and planning for transportation to and from the airport.

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 Chapter 1

In this example, the results of our activities – or outputs – are mostly information, such as
family schedules, flight schedules, and cost information based on the time frame of the trip.
This information helps identify outcomes or immediate goals. For instance, if we make
reservations as soon as possible, we are able to find flights with available frequent flier slots
and probably have more options for flights that fit within the time frame. Knowing this,
our outcomes improve – reservations made well in advance result in flight schedules and
airline costs that suit our timeline and travel budget. Longer-term impact of our trip is not
an issue here, but might be projected as continued good family relationships in 2010.

Using a simple logic model as a trip-planning tool produced tangible benefits. It helped
You can’t do “good” evalua-
us gather information to influence our decisions about resources and allowed us to meet
tion if you have a poorly
our stated goals. Applying this process consistently throughout our trip planning posi-
planned program.
tions us for success by laying out the best course of action and giving us benchmarks for
measuring progress – when we touch down in Charlotte and change planes for
Beverly Anderson Parsons
Cincinnati, we know we’re on course for Des Moines.
(1999)
Typical logic models use table and flow chart formats like those presented here to cata-
logue program factors, activities, and results and to illustrate a program’s dimensions.
Most use text and arrows or a graphic representation of program ideas. This is what our
trip planning “program” could look like in logic model format.

Your Planned Work Your Intended Results

Trip Planning Trip Results

Resources/
Activities Outputs Outcomes Impact
Inputs

• Holiday • Create • Tickets • Family • Continued

flight family for all members good
schedules schedule family enjoy family
• Family • Get members vacation relations
schedules holiday • Frequent
• Frequent flight info flyer miles
flyer • Get used
holiday tickets • Money
options • Arrange saved
• Holiday ground
weather transport

1 2 3 4 5

It was easy to organize travel plans in a flow chart, but we could also choose to organize and
display our thinking in other ways. A logic model does not have to be linear. It may appear
as a simple image or concept map to describe more complex program concepts. Settling on
a single image of a program is sometimes the most difficult step for program stakeholders.

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 Why Use a Logic Model?
As you can see from the travel plan example, logic models are useful tools in many ways.
If program planners Because they are pictorial in nature, they require systematic thinking and planning to
don’t have any hypotheses better describe programs. The visual representation of the master plan in a logic model
guiding them, their is flexible, points out areas of strength and/or weakness, and allows stakeholders to run
potential for learning from through many possible scenarios to find the best. In a logic model, you can adjust
the initiative is low, and approaches and change courses as program plans are developed. Ongoing assessment,
the program is probably review, and corrections can produce better program design and a system to strategically
in trouble (p. 1). monitor, manage, and report program outcomes throughout development and
implementation.
Everything You Wanted to
Know About Logic Models Effective evaluation and program success rely on the fundamentals of clear stakeholder
but Were Afraid to Ask, assumptions and expectations about how and why a program will solve a particular prob-
Connie Schmitz and lem, generate new possibilities, and make the most of valuable assets. The logic model
Beverly Anderson Parsons approach helps create shared understanding of and focus on program goals and method-
(1999) ology, relating activities to projected outcomes.

Logic Models Better Position Programs For Success

Many evaluation experts agree that use of the logic model is an effective way to ensure
program success. Using a logic model throughout your program helps organize and sys-
tematize program planning, management, and evaluation functions.

1. In Program Design and Planning, a logic model serves as a planning tool to develop
program strategy and enhance your ability to clearly explain and illustrate program con-
cepts and approach for key stakeholders, including funders.
The bane of evaluation is a
Logic models can help craft structure and organization for program design and build in
poorly designed program.
self-evaluation based on shared understanding of what is to take place. During the plan-
ning phase, developing a logic model requires stakeholders to examine best practice
Ricardo Millett, Director,
research and practitioner experience in light of the strategies and activities selected to
WKKF Evaluation Unit
achieve results.

2. In Program Implementation, a logic model forms the core for a focused management
plan that helps you identify and collect the data needed to monitor and improve
programming.

Using the logic model during program implementation and management requires you to
focus energies on achieving and documenting results. Logic models help you to consider
and prioritize the program aspects most critical for tracking and reporting and make
adjustments as necessary.

3. For Program Evaluation and Strategic Reporting, a logic model presents program
information and progress toward goals in ways that inform, advocate for a particular pro-
gram approach, and teach program stakeholders.

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 Chapter 1

We all know the importance of reporting results to funders and to community stakehold-
ers alike. Communication is a key component of a program’s success and sustainability.
Logic models can help strategic marketing efforts in three primary ways:

• Describing programs in language clear and specific enough to be understood and evaluated.
• Focusing attention and resources on priority program operations and key results for the
purposes of learning and program improvement.
• Developing targeted communication and marketing strategies.

There are many ways to The Table below describes the relationship between a successful program and the benefits
conduct evaluations, and derived from the use of logic models.
professional evaluators tend
to agree that there is no
Program Elements Criteria for Program Success1 Benefits of Program Logic Models2
“one best way” to do any
evaluation. Instead, good
Planning and Design Program goals and objectives, Finds “gaps” in the theory or logic of a
evaluation requires careful-
and important side effects are program and work to resolve them.
ly thinking through the well defined ahead of time.
questions that need to be
answered, the type of pro- Program goals and objectives are Builds a shared understanding of what
gram being evaluated, and both plausible and possible. the program is all about and how the
parts work together.
the ways in which the
information generated will Program Relevant, credible, and useful per- Focuses attention of management on the
be used. Good evaluation, Implementation and formance data can be obtained. most important connections between
in our view, should provide Management action and results.
useful information about Evaluation, The intended users of the evalua- Provides a way to involve and engage
program functioning that Communication, and tion results have agreed on how stakeholders in the design, processes,
can contribute to program Marketing they will use the information. and use of evaluation.
improvement.
How Logic Models Better Position Programs Toward Success.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Evaluation Unit
Logic Models Strengthen the Case for Program Investment
Clear ideas about what you plan to do and why – as well as an organized approach to
capturing, documenting, and disseminating program results – enhance the case for
investment in your program.

1
Wholey, J. S., Hatry, H. P., & Newcomer, K. E. (Eds.). (1994). Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation.
San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

2
Barley, Z., Phillips, C., & Jenness, M. (1998). Decoding Program Logic Models. Workshop presented at the
Annual Meeting of the American Evaluation Association, Chicago, IL, November, 1998.

Page 6 Logic Model Development Guide

 Developing a Program Logic Model Requires a Simple Image and a
Straightforward Approach
A picture IS worth a thousand words. The point of developing a logic model is to come
up with a relatively simple image that reflects how and why your program will work.
Doing this as a group brings the power of consensus and group examination of values and
beliefs about change processes and program results.

LOGIC MODEL Logic Models Reflect Group Process and Shared Understanding
IF…THEN
Frequently, a professional evaluator is charged with developing a logic model for program
Assumptions:
practitioners. But a logic model developed by all stakeholders – program staff, partici-
• Certain resources are pants, and evaluators – produces a more useful tool and refines program concepts and
needed to operate your plans in the process. We recommend that a logic model be developed collaboratively in an
program. inclusive, collegial process that engages as many key stakeholders as possible. This guide
• If you have access to provides a step-by-step process to assist program planners.
them, then you can use
them to accomplish
your planned activities. Like Programs, Logic Models Can Change Over Time
• If you accomplish your As a program grows and develops, so does its logic model. A program logic model is
planned activities, then, merely a snapshot of a program at one point in time; it is not the program with its actual
you will, it is hoped, flow of events and outcomes. A logic model is a work in progress, a working draft that
deliver the amount of can be refined as the program develops.
product and/or service
that you intended.
• If you accomplish your
planned activities to the
Simple Logic Model Basics
extent intended, then
your participants will Creating a logic model:
benefit in specific ways. What they look like and what needs to be included
• If these benefits to par- Logic models come in as many sizes and shapes as the programs they represent. A simple
ticipants are achieved, model focuses on project-level results and explains five basic program components. The
then certain changes in elements outlined below are typical of the model promoted by United Way of America to
organizations, commu- support an outcomes-based approach to program planning and evaluation.
nities, or systems might
occur under specified
conditions. Developing and Reading a Basic Logic Model
Read from left to right, logic models describe program basics over time, beginning with
best practice information or knowledge about “what works” from successful program
practitioners and other trusted authorities. Reading a logic model means following the
chain of reasoning or “If...then...” statements which connect the program’s parts. The gray
box in the left column defines the assumptions stated in “If...then...” terms.

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 Chapter 1

Building a Logic Model by Basic Program Components

As you conceptualize your program, begin by describing your basic assumptions and then
add the following program components in the order that they should occur.

1. Factors are resources and/or barriers, which potentially enable or limit program effec-
tiveness. Enabling protective factors or resources may include funding, existing organizations,
potential collaborating partners, existing organizational or interpersonal networks, staff
and volunteers, time, facilities, equipment, and supplies. Limiting risk factors or barriers
might include such things as attitudes, lack of resources, policies, laws, regulations, and
geography.

2. Activities are the processes, techniques, tools, events, technology, and actions of the
planned program. These may include products – promotional materials and educational
curricula; services – education and training, counseling, or health screening; and
infrastructure – structure, relationships, and capacity used to bring about the desired
results.

3. Outputs are the direct results of program activities. They are usually described in terms
of the size and/or scope of the services and products delivered or produced by the program.
They indicate if a program was delivered to the intended audiences at the intended
“dose.” A program output, for example, might be the number of classes taught, meetings
held, or materials produced and distributed; program participation rates and demography;
or hours of each type of service provided.

4. Outcomes are specific changes in attitudes, behaviors, knowledge, skills, status, or level of
functioning expected to result from program activities and which are most often
expressed at an individual level.

5. Impacts are organizational, community, and/or system level changes expected to result
from program activities, which might include improved conditions, increased capacity,
and/or changes in the policy arena.

Thinking about a program in logic model terms prompts the clarity and specificity
required for success, and often demanded by funders and your community. Using a sim-
ple logic model produces (1) an inventory of what you have and what you need to oper-
ate your program; (2) a strong case for how and why your program will produce your
desired results; and (3) a method for program management and assessment.

Other Logic Model Examples

In practice, most logic models are more complex and fall into one of three categories: the
theory approach model (conceptual), outcome approach model, or activities approach
model (applied) – or a blend of several types. It is not unusual for a program to use all
three types of logic models for different purposes. No one model fits all needs, so you will

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 need to decide exactly what you want to achieve with your logic model – and where you
are in the life of your program – before deciding on which model to use.

Types of Logic Models: Emphasis and Strengths

Intended Results Beginnings

Should contribute Grant Proposal If your assumptions
to the results you about the factors
expect based on that influence your
this theory of what we issues hold true...
Planning &
change hope
Design
to do
what we have
done so far
theory type
Reports Evaluation, Program Management
out

e
typ
& Other Communication, Logic Implementation Plan
com

ies
Media Marketing Model
es

ivit
typ

act
e

how we will do
what we say we will do
Planned Work
Then, the activities you
plan to do which build
on these assumptions...

Types of Logic Models: Descriptions of Three Approaches to Logic Models:

Emphasis and Strengths Which Fits Your Program?
A program is a theory and
1. Theory Approach Models emphasize the theory of change that has influenced the
an evaluation is its test. In
design and plan for the program. These logic models provide rich explanation of the
order to organize the eval-
reasons for beginning to explore an idea for a given program. Sometimes they have
uation to provide a respon-
additional parts that specify the problem or issue addressed by the program, describe
sible test, the evaluator
the reasons for selecting certain types of solution strategies, connect proven strategies
needs to understand the
to potential activities, and other assumptions the planners hold that influence effective-
theoretical premises on
ness. These models illustrate how and why you think your program will work. They
which the program is based
are built from the “big picture” kinds of thoughts and ideas that went into conceptual-
(p. 55).
izing your program. They are coming to be most often used to make the case in
grant proposals. Models describing the beginnings of a program in detail are most
Carol Weiss (1998)
useful during program planning and design.

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 Chapter 1

2. Outcomes Approach Models focus on the early aspects of program planning and
attempt to connect the resources and/or activities with the desired results in a workable
program. These models often subdivide outcomes and impact over time to describe
short-term (1 to 3 years), long-term (4 to 6 years), and impact (7 to 10 years) that may
result from a given set of activities. Although these models are developed with a theory
The purpose of using pro- of change in mind, this aspect is not usually emphasized explicitly. Models that outline
gram logic models in the approach and expectations behind a program’s intended results are most useful in
WKKF grantmaking is to designing effective evaluation and reporting strategies.
help internal and external
stakeholders understand 3. Activities Approach Models pay the most attention to the specifics of the implementation
how the Foundation’s process. A logic model of this type links the various planned activities together in a
investment will contribute manner that maps the process of program implementation. These models describe
to achieving the intended what a program intends to do and as such are most useful for the purposes of program
goals. This understanding monitoring and management. This type provides the detailed steps you think you will
should help these various need to follow to implement your program. It shows what you will actually do in your
stakeholders make community if your proposal is funded. Models that emphasize a program’s planned
informed decisions about work are most often used to inform management planning activities.
program priorities, funding
priorities, assistance to
grantees, evaluation of pro-
gramming impact, and Working Through Theory Approach
marketing, communica-
Logic Models Emphasizes Assumptions
tion, and marketing strate-
gies. A theory approach logic model links theoretical ideas together to explain underlying pro-
gram assumptions. The focus here is on the problem or issue and the reasons for propos-
W.K. Kellogg ing the solution suggested in your program’s approach. Remember, the theory logic model
Foundation is broad and about “big ideas,” not about specific program “nuts and bolts.”
Evaluation Handbook
(1998) Noted evaluator and program theorist Carol Weiss (1998) explains that for program plan-
ning, monitoring, and evaluation, it is important to know not only what the program
expects to achieve but also how. We must understand the principles on which a program
is based, a notion not included in evaluation until recently. Discussions about the
whethers, hows, and whys of program success require credible evidence and attention to the
paths by which outcomes and impacts are produced.

The theory logic model is suitable for use by funders and grantees. A case example of its
use is provided below.

In this case, the model describes a WKKF cluster initiative’s (Comprehensive Community
Health Models of Michigan) programming strategy or its theory of change. Notice that
this model places emphasis on “Your Beginnings” by including the assumptions identified
by program planners as the principles behind the design of the initiative.

Page 10 Logic Model Development Guide

 Assumptions Inputs Activities Outputs Outcomes Impact

Health is a community issue and Community-wide

communities will form partnerships Consumers Coverage and
to resolve health care problems. Access
More Effective
Active Distribution of
Commnities can influence and
Providers Participation Community Comprehensive, Improved
shape public and market policy at
in the Reform Health Care Integrated Health Status
the local, state, and national levels.
Process Resources Health Care
External agents, working in Delivery System
partnership with communities, can Payers
serve as catalysts for change.
Administrative Increased
Inclusive Community Health Health Care
Shifting revenues and incentives to Processes for Assessment
These models help build a primary care and prevention will Staff
Community
Health Data, System
Decision- Efficiency
common understanding improve health status.
Making
Policy, and
Advocacy
between managers and Information on health status and External Community-based
systems is required for informed Technical Health Information
evaluators.... Such agree- decision making. Assistance Systems
ment is a prerequisite for
evaluation work that is
likely to be useful to man- Your Beginnings Your Planned Work Your Intended Results
agement. [These models]
display the key events
(inputs, activities, Example of a Theory Logic model (Adapted from WKKF’s Comprehensive Community Health Models of
outcomes) that could be Michigan).
monitored and the assumed
causal linkages that could
be tested in evaluations
of the program.
Working with Outcome Approach Models Highlights Activities and
Program Implementation
Joseph S. Wholey, Outcome approach logic models display the interrelationships between specific program
Harry P. Hatry, and activities and their outcomes. On the next page is an example drawn from the Calhoun
K.E. Newcomer (1994) County Health Improvement Program, funded under the Comprehensive Community
Health Models of Michigan initiative.

This linear, columnar model emphasizes the causal linkages thought to exist among pro-
gram components. The arrows show which sets of activities program developers believed
would contribute to what outcomes. These statements serve as logical assertions about the
perceived relationship among program operations and desired results and are the hallmark
of the logic model process.

Notice that this model emphasizes “Your Intended Results” in the greatest relative detail
and anticipates achievement outside the time allotted for the initiative.

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 Chapter 1

Inputs Activities Outputs Outcomes Impact

Consumers, Activities that encourage Consumers, providers, and CCHIP Governing Board is
providers, and consumers, providers, and payers payers serving on the CCHIP deemed inclusive and
payers to to seek support, and achieve Governing Board seek, support, accountable by the
participate in common goals. and achieve common goals. community stakeholders.
governance
processes.
Activities that increase consumer Increased community access and Increased numbers of community
awareness and access to health participation in health promotion, members utilize the health
promotion, disease prevention, disease prevention, and promotion, disease prevention,
and primary care services. primary care services. and primary care service provided

Sufficient staff with Activities that increase linkages Linkages are forged among
expertise and among medical, health, and medical, health, and human
leadership skills to human service systems. service systems.
Improved access/coverage for the
implement the Improved Health Status
insured, under-, and non-insured
program at the
Activities that lead to the Third-party administered contract in the community.
local level.
development of a community for community-wide coverage
access and coverage plan. is in place.

Community members utilize the

Activities that lead to the Fiber-optic information network CHIN for information collection,
development of a community is in place (CHIN). storage, analysis, and exchange.
health information network.
Sufficient external
technical
assistance to Activities that lead to the Information provided by the
support staff in development of a community Community health assessment and
Health Report Card is used to
program health assessment and reporting program is in place.
make community health decisions.
implementation reporting program.

Your Planned Work Your Intended Results

Example of an Outcome Approach model (example drawn from the Calhoun County Health Improvement
Program, funded under the Comprehensive Community Health Models of Michigan initiative).

Not only will a logic model

clarify each element of your
Using the Activities Approach Models to Track Outcomes
program, it will enable you The activities approach logic model also connects program resources and activities to
to respond to the question: desired results but does so in very great detail. Each outcome is usually dealt with sepa-
“To what do I want to be rately by the activities and events that must take place to keep the program on track.
held accountable?”. The model emphasizing “Your Planned Work” can be used as a work plan or manage-
ment tool for program components and in conjunction with other models.
The Evaluation Forum
(1999) Notice how it points out what program activities need to be monitored and what kind of
measurements might indicate progress toward results. Below is one model describing the
connections between project tasks and outcome achievement for the community coverage
strand from the outcome approach example provided earlier.

Page 12 Logic Model Development Guide

 Insurance market issues are
identified and documented.

Deliverable–6
Insurance market issues are
prioritized based on potential The Purchasing Alliance will
for successful reform. identify insurance market issues
and strategies to reform those
identified issues will be
developed and implemented.
High priority issues are
identified and examined.

Strategies to reform the

high priority issues identified
have been developed.

Change agents with sufficient Change agents contracted to

capacity and resources to Equitable access to
implement insurance market
successfully execute insurance community-wide coverage.
reform (minimum of 2).
market reform are identified.

% decrease of people
Activities to increase beneficiary uninsured (201).
enrollment and provider
participation in Medicaid and
other third party sponsored % decrease of new Medicaid
insurance and eligible consumers
reimbursment plans (2P1) achieving coverage before
in the hospital (203).

% in Medicaid participating
providers, using $1000
threshold level (204).

Milestone Activities Outputs Outcomes

Your Planned Work Your Intended Results

Adapted from the Calhoun County Health Improvement Program, one site of WKKF’s Comprehensive
Community Health Models of Michigan initiative

There Is No Best Logic Model

Try several on for size. Choose the model that fits your program best and provides the
information you need in the format that is most helpful. Like anything else, it takes prac-
tice to use logic models as effective program tools. We learn through trial and error to
find what works best for what program. Don’t hesitate to experiment with program logic
model design to determine what works best for your program. And don’t be concerned if
your model doesn’t look like one of the case examples.

The following show how the logic model forms gather information that can be used
throughout your program’s life – from defining the theory on which your program rests
to evaluating program impact.

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 Chapter 1

How to use a Logic Model Through the Life of Your Program:

1. Program Planning
CLARIFYING PROGRAM THEORY:
Strategies Assumptions
5 6

1. PROBLEM OR ISSUE STATEMENT: Describe the problem(s) your program is attempting

Problem or Issue Desired Results
to solve or the issue(s) your program will address.
Influential 1 (outputs, outcomes,

2. COMMUNITY NEEDS/ASSETS: Specify the needs and/or assets of your community that
Factors 4 and impact)
3

Community Needs/Assets
2
led your organization to design a program that addresses the problem.
3. DESIRED RESULTS (OUTPUTS, OUTCOMES AND IMPACTS): Identify desired results, or
vision of the future, by describing what you expect to achieve near- and long-term.
For more detail, see the Program 4. INFLUENTIAL FACTORS: List the factors you believe will influence change in your community.
Planning Template on p. 57. 5. STRATEGIES: List general successful strategies or “best practices” that have helped
communities like yours achieve the kinds of results your program promises.
6. ASSUMPTIONS: State the assumptions behind how and why the change strategies will
2. Program Implementation work in your community.
RESOURCES ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS SHORT SHORT & LONG-TERM IMPACT
OUTCOMES

In order to accomplish In order to address our We expect that once We expect that if accom- We expect that if accom-
our set of activities we problem or asset we will accomplished these plished these activities plished these activities
will need the following: accomplish the following activities will produce will lead to the following will lead to the following
activities: the following evidence changes in 1-3 then 4-6 changes in 7-10 years:
or service delivery: years:

DEMONSTRATING YOUR PROGRAM’S PROGRESS:

1. OUTPUTS: For each program activity, identify what outputs (service delivery/implementation
targets) you aim to produce.
2. OUTCOMES: Identify the short-term and long-term outcomes you expect to achieve for
For more detail, see the Program each activity.
Implementation Template on p. 54.
3. IMPACT: Describe the impact you anticipate in your community in 7 to 10 years with each
activity as a result of your program.
3. Program Evaluation 4. ACTIVITIES: Describe each of the activities you plan to conduct in your program.
Evaluation Audience Question Use
5. RESOURCES: Describe the resources or influential factors available to support your program
Focus Area

activities.

PROGRAM EVALUATION QUESTIONS AND INDICATORS:

1. FOCUS AREA: From your program theory logic model, list the components of the most
For more detail, see the Evaluation important aspects of your program.
Planning Template on p. 59. 2. AUDIENCE: Identify the key audiences for each focus area. Who has an interest in your
program?
Focus Area Question Indicators Technical Assistance
Needed
“ 3. QUESTIONS: For each focus area and audience, list the questions they may have about
your program.
4. INFORMATION USE: For each audience and question you have identified, identify the ways
you will use the evaluation information.
5. INDICATORS: Describe what information could be collected that would indicate the status of
your program and its participants for each question.
For more detail, see the Indicators 6. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Indicate the extent to which your organization has the evaluation
Development Template on p. 61. and data management expertise to collect and analyze the data that relates to this indicator.

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 Chapter 2

Developing a Basic Logic Model For Your Program

Drawing a picture of how your program will achieve results

W
hether you are a grantseeker developing a proposal for start-up funds or a
grantee with a program already in operation, developing a logic model can
strengthen your program. Logic models help identify the factors that will
affect your program and enable you to anticipate the data and resources you will need to
achieve success. As you engage in the process of creating your program logic model, your
Over the past few years, I organization will systematically address these important program planning and evaluation
have markedly changed my issues:
approach to logic modeling.
• Cataloguing of the resources and actions you believe you will need to reach intended
I have become convinced
results.
that it makes a consider-
able difference if you do the • Documentation of connections among your available resources, planned activities and
outcomes before planning the results you expect to achieve.
the activities.
• Description of the results you are aiming for in terms of specific, measurable, action-ori-
I definitely advocate doing ented, realistic and timed outcomes.
the outcomes first! I find The exercises in this chapter gather the raw material you need to draw a basic logic model
that people come up with that illustrates how and why your program will work and what it will accomplish. You
much more effective activi- can benefit from creating a logic model at any point in the life of any program. The logic
ties when they do. Use the model development process helps people inside and outside your organization understand
motto, “plan backward, and improve the purpose and process of your work.
implement forward.”
Chapter 2 is organized into two sections – Program Implementation, and Program Results.
Beverly Anderson Parsons, The best recipe for program success is to complete both exercises. (Full-size masters of each
WKKF Cluster Evaluator exercise and the checklists are provided in the Forms Appendix at the back of the guide for
you to photocopy and use with stakeholder groups as you design your program.)

Exercise 1: Program Results. In a series of three steps, you describe the results you plan to
achieve with your program.

Exercise 2: Program Resources and Activities by taking you through three steps that con-
nect the program’s resources to the actual activities you plan to do.

The Mytown Example

Throughout Exercises 1 and 2 we’ll follow an example program to see how the logic
model steps can be applied. In our example, the folks in Mytown, USA, are striving to
meet the needs of growing numbers of uninsured residents who are turning to Memorial
Hospital’s Emergency Room for care. Because that care is expensive and not the best way
to offer care, the community is working to create a free clinic. Throughout the chapters,
Mytown’s program information will be dropped into logic model templates for Program
Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.

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 Chapter 2

Novice logic modelers may want to have copies of the Basic Logic Model Template in
front of them and follow along. Those readers with more experience and familiarity may
want to explore the text and then skip ahead to the completed Basic Logic Model for the
Mytown Example on page 34.

Demonstrating Progress Toward Change

The Importance of Documenting Progress
According to many funders, grant applications frequently lack solid descriptions of how
programs will demonstrate their effectiveness. Some grantees think activities are ends unto
themselves. They report the numbers of participants they reach or the numbers of train-
ing sessions held as though they were results.

Conducting an activity is not the same as achieving results from the accomplishment of that
activity. For example, being seen by a doctor is different from reducing the number of unin-
sured emergency room visits. Tracking data like meetings held or patients enrolled does
monitor your program’s implementation and performance, but those data are outputs (activ-
ity data), not outcomes (which refer to the results you expect to achieve in future years).

“Do the outcomes first” is sage advice. Most logic models lack specific short- and long-
term outcomes that predict what will be achieved several years down the road. Specifying
program milestones as you design the program builds in ways to gather the data required
and allows you to periodically assess the program’s progress toward the goals you identify.
For that reason, Exercise 1 isn’t filled out from left to right. This exercise asks you to
“do the outcomes first.” We will focus our attention first on what we have called “your
intended results.”

As you implement your program, outcome measures enhance program success by assess-
ing your progress from the beginning and all along the way. That makes it possible to
notice problems early on. The elements (Outputs, Outcomes, and Impact) that comprise
your intended results give you an outline of what is most important to monitor and gauge
to determine the effectiveness of your program. You can correct and revise based on your
interpretation of the collected data.

Exercise 1 – Describing Results

Describe the results you desire – Outputs, Outcomes and Impact
If you were running the Mytown Free Clinic, how would you show that your desired out-
come (a reduction in uninsured emergency care) didn’t result from a mass exodus of unin-
sured residents from Mytown, USA, or a sudden increase in number of employees offered
health insurance coverage by local businesses?

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 How will you demonstrate that your program contributed to the change you intend? A
well-crafted logic model can assert it is reasonable to claim that your program made a sub-
stantive contribution to your intended change. When programs operate in real communi-
ties where influences and forces are beyond your control, evaluation is generally more
about documenting a program’s contribution than about proving something. Community-
based initiatives operate in complex environments where the scientific certainty of “proof ”
is seldom attainable. This is where logic models can be especially helpful.

INSTRUCTIONS: Exercise 1 will use the Basic Logic Model Development Template. In
particular, you will use the information presented in the gray text boxes that follow about
the Mytown example program to determine what results are intended for this program.
Example information about outcomes, impacts, and outputs are provided. You will fill in
the blank Basic Logic Model Development Template to illustrate first the outcomes and
impacts sought and then the outputs. You can then look at the completed template on
page 25 to see compare your interpretation with that produced by the Mytown folks.

Exercise 1 uses the Basic Logic Model Development Template

Resources Activities Outputs Short- & Long- Impact

Term Outcomes

In order to accom- In order to address We expect that once We expect that if We expect that if
plish our set of our problem or completed or under completed or ongo- completed these
activities we will asset we will con- way these activities ing these activities activities will lead
need the following: duct the following will produce the fol- will lead to the fol- to the following
activities: lowing evidence of lowing changes in changes in
service delivery: 1–3 then 4–6 years: 7–10 years:

Outcomes and Impacts should be SMART:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Action-oriented
• Realistic
• Timed

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 Chapter 2

Some logic models number the lists within a column to aid discussion. Some tabular logic
models use rows to order and show the relationships among components. Some logic
models, like the outcome and activity examples provided in Chapter One, use a box and
arrow format to illustrate the “causal linkages” demonstrating how your resources, activi-
ties, outputs, outcomes, and impact connect to form chains. These depictions add to the
clarity of your logic model/evaluation plan. However, for the most basic of logic models,
the inventory approach we illustrate is sufficient to capture your thinking about how a
program will work. The other techniques will improve its utility, but the most important
task is to first get the component parts categorized and described. Once you have com-
pleted the inventory table for this and Exercise 2 feel free to experiment with identifying
the relationships among the items across columns.

Short-term outcomes are results you expect to achieve one to three years after a program
activity is under way.
Short-term outcomes are specific changes in things like attitudes, behaviors, knowledge,
skills, status, or level of functioning expected to result from program activities. These usu-
ally are expressed at an individual level among program participants.

EXAMPLES: Signed Memorandum of Agreement from the local technical college donating
clinic space, change in participants’ attitudes about the need for a medical home, increase in
numbers of scheduled annual physicals, increased patient follow-up visits, change in staff's
awareness of patient scheduling challenges, increased appropriate referrals from ER’s.

Insert Mytown’s short-term outcomes in the Short- and Long-Term Outcomes Column of the
Basic Logic Model Development Template.

Long-term outcomes are results you expect to achieve in four to six years.
Long-term outcomes are also specific changes in things like attitudes, behaviors, knowl-
edge, skills, status, or level of functioning expected to result from program activities.
These usually build on the progress expected by the short-term outcomes.

EXAMPLES: The clinic serves as a medical home for 500 uninsured patients. The clinic has
sustained funding sources: patient co-payments ($10/visit) provide 20% of the Clinic’s oper-
ating costs, United Way provides 20%, Memorial Hospital donates 20%, the Medical Society
contributes 20% and an endowment established at the Community Foundation provides the
final 20%. An annual golf tournament organized by the Kiwanis Club funds special clinic proj-
ects. There has been a 25% reduction in uninsured emergency care since Mytown Free Clinic
opened five years ago. In the Clinic’s fifth year there is a 15% reduction in uninsured ER vis-
its. Seventy-five volunteer administrators and 300 volunteer medical professionals regularly
serve at the clinic each year. Five companies donate all necessary medical supplies. Grant
funds purchase the computers and software needed to create electronic patient records. For
five years patient satisfaction ratings have been 90%.

Insert Mytown’s long-term outcomes in the Short- and Long-Term Outcomes column of the
Basic Logic Model Development Template.

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 Impact refers to the results expected seven to ten years after an activity is under way – the
future social change your program is working to create.
Impacts are the kinds of organizational, community, or system level changes expected to
result from program activities and which might include improved conditions, increased
capacity, and/or changes in the policy arena.

EXAMPLES: Specific reduction in inappropriate emergency room use, increased donations of

clinic supplies to meet identified needs, a stable supply of medical volunteers, an endowment
supporting 35% of the clinic’s operating funds, 900 patients served/year.

Insert Mytown’s impacts in the Impact Column of the Basic Logic Model Development
Template.

Outputs are data about activities.

They are the direct results of program activities. They are usually described in terms of
size and scope of the services or products delivered or produced by the program. They
indicate whether or not a program was delivered to the intended audiences at the intended
“dose.” A program output, for example, might include the number of classes taught, meet-
ings held, materials distributed, program participation rates, or total service delivery
hours.

EXAMPLES: Number of patients referred to the Free Clinic from Memorial ER/year, the num-
ber of patients screened/year, the number of qualified patients enrolled in the Free Clinic/year,
the average number of patient visits/day, the total number of patient visits/year, the number
and specialties of medical volunteers, the number of volunteer administrators trained, the
number and locations of clinic posters distributed, the number of potential patients calling for
information/ month.

Insert Mytown’s outputs in the Outputs Column of the Basic Logic Model Development
Template.

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 Chapter 2

Exercise 1 Checklist:
Review what you have created using the checklist below to assess the quality of your draft.

Yes Not Comments

Progress Toward Results Quality Criteria Yet Revisions
1. A variety of audiences are taken into consideration when ■ ■
specifying credible outputs, outcomes, and impacts.

2. Target participants and/or partners are described and quanti- ■ ■

fied as outputs (e.g. 100 teachers from 5 rural high schools).

3. Events, products, or services listed are described as outputs ■ ■

in terms of a treatment or dose (e.g. 30 farmers will partici-
pate in at least 3 sessions of program, or curriculum will be
distributed to at least 12 agencies).

4. The intensity of the intervention or treatment is appropriate ■ ■

for the type of participant targeted (e.g. higher-risk partici-
pants warrant higher intensities).

5. The duration of the intervention or treatment is appropriate ■ ■

for the type of participant targeted (e.g. higher-risk partici-
pants warrant longer duration).

6. Outcomes reflect reasonable, progressive steps that partici- ■ ■

pants can make toward longer-term results.

7. Outcomes address awareness, attitudes, perceptions, knowl- ■ ■

edge, skills, and/ or behavior of participants.

8. Outcomes are within the scope of the program’s control or ■ ■

sphere of reasonable influence.

9. It seems fair or reasonable to hold the program accountable ■ ■

for the outcomes specified.

10. The outcomes are specific, measurable, action-oriented, real- ■ ■

istic, and timed.

11. The outcomes are written as change statements (e.g. things ■ ■

increase, decrease, or stay the same).

12. The outcomes are achievable within the funding and reporting ■ ■
periods specified.

13. The impact, as specified, is not beyond the scope of the pro- ■ ■
gram to achieve.

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 Exercise 2 – Describing Actions
Linking It All Together
Exercise 2 illustrates exactly how you plan to put your program theory to work. It leads
you to identify the resources and activities your program will need to achieve your intend-
ed results. This exercise documents your knowledge of the community resources you have
available and specific activities your program will implement.

Program rationales in grant proposals are usually strong. Grantees tend to have a very
I would emphasize that good sense of what they want to do. However, they frequently fail to make specific
people may well change connections between their program and related best practice literature and practitioner
their minds about the wisdom that could and should support their approach and their work.
activities that are the most
useful after having done To connect actions to program results, this exercise links your knowledge of what works
the results work. with specific descriptions of what your program will do. It requires you to anticipate what
will be needed to support program activities. The elements that comprise your program
Beverly Anderson Parsons, implementation act as a game plan for the program you propose.
WKKF Cluster Evaluator
Most logic models list activity items and resources (like planning meetings, curriculum
purchase or design, training workshops, and service delivery). Depending on the nature
of your effort, other types of products and processes may be included. Management-
oriented logic models also include program and evaluation development, staff and volun-
teer training, recruitment of partners and participants, and the publicity needed to support
your work along the way.

As mentioned earlier, if your program addresses multiple issues you may find it helpful to
go through the exercises for each issue in turn and then aggregate them into a larger
model that highlights the relationships among issues.

We recommend referring to a literature review on the problem your program is designed

to address when you specify program activities. From this explicit knowledge of what
works, you can more clearly connect the abstract strategies supporting the program to its
concrete activities.

When Exercise 2 is complete and you are satisfied that you have an accurate inventory of
the Mytown program’s component parts, transfer the information to the Basic Logic
Model Development Template. Remember you have already filled in the three columns
on the right with what you have learned about the intended results for the Mytown pro-
gram example.

What activities are planned? Based on what you know about effective ways to solve
problems or build assets, what specific activities have you planned?

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 Chapter 2

EXAMPLES: Personnel Committee launches and completes search for full-time director.
Director is hired and oriented to the board and the community. Board and staff visit the
Anywhere Free Clinic to learn from its experience and to select documents to replicate (i.e.,
policies and procedures, job descriptions, equipment needs, budgets, funding strategies, vol-
unteer and patient records). Board and staff conduct program-planning retreat. Based upon
Anywhere’s funding plan, board secures Free Clinic’s first-year funding. Marketing Committee
creates public relations campaign in collaboration with Volunteer Committee to secure volun-
teers and patients. Facility Committee creates and completes MOA with technical college to
secure a clinic facility. Quality Assurance Committee creates evaluation plan in cooperation
with Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Room staff and the local Chamber of Commerce.

Summarize Mytown’s activities in the Activities column of the Basic Logic Model
Development Template

What resources are needed? Once you have specified what you plan to do, determine the
resources you will need to support the solutions your program proposes. For some types
of programs, it may also be helpful to describe the influential factors you are counting on
to support your efforts in the community.

EXAMPLES: Medical Society/Memorial Hospital Task Force for the Uninsured will become a
Free Clinic Board of Directors and secure a 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. The Board will
recruit 7–10 additional representatives from drug companies, the local technical school,
Mytown’s United Way, the Chamber of Commerce, the Community Foundation, the Volunteer
Center, the Nurses Association, etc. During a 6-month planning period, board committees will
be launched; staff will be recruited/hired/oriented; a site visit will be conducted; and the
Clinic’s first-year’s funding ($150,000/year) will be secured. Committees will create an MOA
with Memorial Hospital and the Medical Society to secure equipment required: 5 exam tables,
7 desks, 5 blood pressure cuffs, 5 otoscopes, 5 stethoscopes, 5 PDR’s, 1 set of scales, 10
thermometers, three computers, one first aid emergency kit.

Summarize Mytown’s resources in the Resources column of the Basic Logic Model
Development Template.

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 Exercise 2 Checklist:
Review what you have created using the checklist below to assess the quality of your draft.

Theory into Action Quality Criteria Yes Not Comments/Revisions

Yet
1. Major activities needed to implement ■ ■
the program are listed.

2. Activities are clearly connected to the ■ ■

specified program theory.

3. Major resources needed to implement ■ ■

the program are listed.

4. Resources match the type of program.

5. All activities have sufficient and ■ ■

appropriate resources.

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 Chapter 2

Here we include a flowchart that summarizes the steps to complete your basic logic
model. Keep in mind that you could use this inventory style template to then further
describe the relationships among the components using numbered items, rows, or boxes
and arrows as we mentioned earlier.

Flowchart for Exercises 1 & 2 –

Describing Results, Resources, and Activities
Exercise 1 Describing Results
RESOURCES ACTIVITIES OUTCOMES
OUTPUTS OUTCOMES IMPACT
Step 1.1
1 For each of the specific activities you have planned to do, what
short-term and then long-term outcomes do you expect to
achieve as indicators of the progress made by your program
toward its desired results?

RESOURCES OUTPUTS
ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS OUTCOMES IMPACT
Step 1.2
2 For each of the specific activities that you have planned to do,
what outputs (service delivery or implementation targets) do you
hope to reach through the operation of your program?

RESOURCES ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS OUTCOMES IMPACT

IMPACT
Step 1.3
3 For each of the specific activities you have planned to do, what
impact do you expect to achieve in your community?

Exercise 2 Describing Resources and Activities

RESOURCES
RESOURCES ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS OUTCOMES IMPACT

Step 2.1
4
Knowing what you know about what works to solve problems or
build assets as specified in the theory of change for your pro-
gram, what specific activities have you planned to do?

ACTIVITIES
RESOURCES ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS OUTCOMES IMPACT
Step 2.2
5 What resources are available to your program to support the
specific activities you have planned to do (for some programs, it
may also be important to state those influential factors you are
counting on to support your work)?

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 Logic Model Development
Program Implementation Template – Exercise 1 & 2

RESOURCES ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS SHORT- AND LONG- IMPACT

Page 25
TERM OUTCOMES

In order to accomplish In order to address our We expect that once We expect that if accom- We expect that if accom-
our set of activities we problem or asset we will accomplished these plished these activities plished these activities
will need the following: accomplish the following activities will produce will lead to the following will lead to the following
activities: the following evidence changes in 1–3 then 4–6 changes in 7–10 years:
or service delivery: years:

• IRS 501(c)(3) status • Launch/complete • # of patients referred • Memorandum of • Patient co-payments

search for executive from ER to the Agreement for free supply 20% of clinic
• Diverse, dedicated director clinic/year clinic space operating costs
board of directors

Logic Model Development Guide

representing potential • Board & staff conduct • # of qualified patients • Change in patient atti- • 25% reduction in # of
partners Anywhere Free Clinic enrolled in the tude about need for uninsured ER
site visit clinic/year medical home visits/year
• Endorsement from
Memorial Hospital, • Board & staff conduct • # of patient visits/year • Change in # of • 300 medical volunteers
Mytown Medical planning retreat scheduled annual phys- serving regularly each
Society, and United • # of medical volunteers icals/follow-ups year
Way • Design and implement serving/year
funding strategy • Increased # of • Clinic is a United Way
• Donated clinic facility • # of patient flyers dis- ER/physician referrals Agency
• Design and implement tributed
• Job descriptions for volunteer recruitment • Decreased volume of • Clinic endowment
board and staff and training • # of calls/month seek- un-reimbursed emer- established
ing info about clinic gencies treated in
• First year’s funding • Secure facility for clinic Memorial ER • 90% patient satisfaction
($150,000) for 5 years.
• Create an evaluation
• Clinic equipment plan • 900 patients
served/year
• Board & staff orienta- • Design and implement
tion process PR campaign

• Clinic budget
Page 26 Logic Model Development Guide
 Chapter 3

Developing a Theory-of-Change Logic Model

For Your Program
Drawing a picture of why your program should succeed

W
hether you are a grantseeker developing a proposal for start-up funds or a
grantee with a program already in operation, developing a logic model can
strengthen your program. Logic models help identify the factors that will
affect your program and enable you to anticipate the data and resources you will need to
achieve success. As you engage in the process of creating your program logic model, your
organization will systematically address these important program planning and evaluation
issues:

• Description of the change strategy that your program supports.

• Definition of the problem you are attempting to address.
• Quantification of the scope of the needs or assets that make the case for your selection
of the problem you address.
• Acknowledgement of the factors that may influence your ability to create change in
your community.
• Application of best practice research that supports plausible solution strategies for iden-
tified problem area.
• Statement of your assumptions about why your selected strategies will work in your
community in the ways you described.

Exercise 3: Program Planning constructs a program theory. Successful programs create

change and are built on a solid knowledge of what works – your program’s theory.
Exercise 3 guides you through a series of six steps that diagram the fundamental theory
that supports your program. This supports and builds upon the basic logic model. In
most cases, if you are developing a new program, this step should come first to inform
your preliminary thinking. We have placed it after basic logic models because it is a
slightly more complex exercise.

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 Chapter 3

Exercise 3 – Constructing a Program Theory

Program Planning
The Importance of Framing Your Problems or Issues
with Sound Program Theory
Imagine you work for a funding organization. Each quarter you review a mountain of grant
proposals from worthy organizations doing good work. All of them need money. What
information would you require to determine which programs to fund? Funders tell us they
look for organizations that have done their homework by clearly defining the problem they
plan to address, describing the reasons behind their approach, and outlining how they antic-
ipate measuring their achievements. Funding decisions are more favorable if you can
demonstrate clearly how and why they will succeed. Logic models help you do just that.

Most grantees know what they want to do in their communities; Exercise 1 makes a
sound case for how and why funders should invest in your program.

It is crucial to begin program design with the basics. Funders encourage grantees to start by
clearly and succinctly explaining the problems they plan to address. Completing Exercise 1
describes the issues your program will address, identifies the needs and assets of your com-
munity that are related to your issues, and specifies why certain results are desired. Funders
and donors generally limit their investments to certain areas of interest, so if your program
addresses several issues, you may want to construct a logic model for each one.

Exercise 3 Uses The Theory-of-Change Template

Logic Model Development
Program Planning Template – Exercise 1

Strategies Assumptions
5 6

Problem or Issue Desired Results

Influential 1 (outputs, outcomes,
Factors 4 and impact)
3

Community Needs/Assets
2

Page 28 Logic Model Development Guide

 INSTRUCTIONS: Exercise 3 will use the Theory-of-Change Template. In particular,
you will use the information presented in the gray text boxes that follow about the
Mytown example program to determine what theory-of-change was used to design and
develop this program. Example information about influential factors, the problem, com-
munity needs/assets, strategies, and assumptions are provided. You will fill in the blank
Theory-of-Change Template provided in the Forms Index (p. 57) to illustrate the pro-
gram theory for the Mytown example. You can then look at the completed template on
page 34 to compare your interpretation with that produced by the Mytown folks.

What problems are you attempting to solve or what issues are you striving to address? A
well-constructed program theory points toward your program’s eventual effectiveness.
Begin your problem statement explaining concisely the issue you will address, stating the
issue either as a community problem or asset. Your theory-of-change logic model will be
built upon this statement, which illustrates how the program will function and what it
expects to achieve in your community. It is smart to refer to research about your pro-
gram’s problem or issue in your statement; Internet searches can provide other successful
program or “best practice” information.

PROBLEM STATEMENT EXAMPLE: There are increasing numbers of uninsured male workers,
aged 40–55, in Mytown, USA, due to local plant closings. As the bottom line of hospitals
shrink, the costs of uninsured care in local emergency rooms are negatively affecting local
health systems. To meet the human and financial needs of Mytown, USA, an accessible, free
medical home must be created to offer medical care and health education for Mytown’s unin-
sured residents.

Insert Mytown’s Problem or Issue in the Problem or Issue box of the Theory-of-Change
Template

What needs or assets led you to address this issue? If a community needs assessment has
been conducted or if you have prioritized community needs and capacity, data exist that
make your case stronger and more specific by identifying and targeting your program’s
participants and activities. Documentation of community needs and assets also helps your
evaluation plan later on. It can become a baseline providing indicators that measure
progress made by your program over time. (Discussed in more detail in Chapter 4.)

DOCUMENTED NEEDS/ASSETS EXAMPLE: Memorial Hospital’s Annual Report states that

28% of uninsured male patients, aged 40–55, received emergency room care in the previous
year. Last year’s United Way Community Needs Assessment identified health care for the
uninsured as the #1 community health care issue. The Medical Society and Memorial
Hospital’s Task Force on the Uninsured is researching ways to address the needs of the unin-
sured AND reduce costly, inappropriate ER use.

Insert Mytown’s community needs/assets in the Community Needs/Assets box of the

Theory-of-Change Template.

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 Chapter 3

What are your desired results? Identify what you expect your program to achieve in the
near and longer term. These become your outputs, outcomes and impact.

DESIRED RESULTS EXAMPLE: Increase accessible, affordable health care for the uninsured
and reduce the incidence of un-reimbursed care provided in emergency rooms. Create a free
clinic that combines an appropriate, accessible, free medical home and patient education to
reduce the numbers of uninsured males, aged 40–55, seeking care in emergency rooms.
Anticipate a 15% increase in males, aged 40–55, with a free medical home and a 25%
decrease in the incidence of uninsured men seeking care in the ER within 5 years.

Insert Mytown’s desired results (notice these are targeting men, which is more specific than
in the basic logic model example) in Desired Results box of the Theory-of-Change Template.

What influential factors (protective and/or risk) could influence change in your community?
What are the potential barriers and/or supports that might impact the change you hope
for? Are there policies or other factors that could affect your program?

INFLUENTIAL FACTOR EXAMPLE: There is documented need for a free clinic. In its Report
for the New Millennium, the Mytown Chamber of Commerce projects a 35% increase in the
number of small businesses unable to afford employee health care benefits over the next five
years. There is strong community support for a free clinic. At the request of Mytown United
Way, Memorial Hospital and The Medical Society have created a joint task force to explore
the creation of a free clinic.

Insert Mytown’s influential factors in the Influential Factors box of the Theory-of-Change
Template.

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 Program Planning – Clarifying Program Theory
Strategies Assumptions

1 Problem or Issue Statement

5 6

Influential
Factors 4
Problem or Issue
1
Desired Results
(outputs, outcomes,
and impact)
Describe the problem(s) your program is attempting to
3

solve or the issue(s) your program will address.

Community Needs/Assets
2

2 Community Needs/Assets
Strategies Assumptions
5 6

Influential
Factors 4
Problem or Issue
1
Desired Results
(outputs, outcomes,
Specify the needs and/or assets of your community that
and impact)

led your program to address the problem(s) or issue(s).

3

Community Needs/Assets
2

3 Desired Results (Outputs, Outcomes, and

Strategies Assumptions
5 6

Influential
Problem or Issue Desired Results
Impacts)
1 (outputs, outcomes,
Factors 4 and impact)
3

Identify your desired results, or vision of the future, by

Community Needs/Assets
2
describing what you expect to achieve, near- or long-
term, if your program is funded.

4 Influential Factors
Strategies Assumptions
5 6

Influential
Factors 4
Problem or Issue
1
Desired Results
(outputs, outcomes,
and impact)
List the factors (e.g., protective or risk factors, existing
3
policy environment, or other factors) you believe will
Community Needs/Assets
2 influence change in your community.

5 Strategies
Strategies Assumptions
5 6

Influential
Factors 4
Problem or Issue
1
Desired Results
(outputs, outcomes,
and impact)
List general, successful strategies or “best practices”
3
your research identified that have helped communities
Community Needs/Assets
2 like yours achieve the kinds of results your program
promises.

Strategies
5
Assumptions
6
6 Assumptions
Influential
Factors 4
Problem or Issue
1
Desired Results
(outputs, outcomes,
State the assumptions behind how and why the identi-
and impact)
3
fied change strategies will work in your community
For more detail, see the Program Community Needs/Assets
2 (e.g., principles, beliefs, ideas).
Planning Template – Exercise 3
on p. 34.

Flowchart for Exercise 3

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 Chapter 3

Why do you believe your program will work? Look for strong rationale based on “best
practice” research that connects what you plan to do with why your approach will succeed.
Funders are eager for evidence that supports why you propose the solutions you do. It’s a
good idea to relate your approach to similar change strategies that have proven effective in
communities like yours. Reviewing literature and past evaluation reports from other pro-
grams (or your own work) will provide you with ample information to construct your pro-
gram rationale. The Internet makes it easier to research effective program strategies.

PROGRAM STRATEGY EXAMPLE: A clinic using volunteer medical professionals reduced

emergency room care visits in Anothertown, USA, in 1997 by 25%. A free clinic in Mytown,
USA, using volunteer medical professionals could provide crucial, affordable medical homes
for growing numbers of uninsured residents preventing costly, inappropriate emergency
room use by males 40–55 experiencing coronary emergencies.

Insert Mytown’s strategies in the Strategies box of the Theory-of-Change Template.

Why will your approach be effective? After you make the case for selecting a specific strategy
from among the alternatives you researched, state out loud why this strategy is needed and
why it will work in your community. It is important early on to document instances that
describe the general condition of public reaction to your problem/issue and possible solutions.

You should draw direct conclusions about the statement of need and capacities in your com-
munity in your assumption. In addition, it should be quite apparent how your program
intends to function as an intervention – to solve identified problems or build existing assets.

We list assumptions last in this exercise because in this abstracted learning format, the
logic modeler has the benefit of all the information that supports assumptions. They are
easier to spot and articulate with all the facts in front of you. In real-world conditions,
assumption are best stated up-front – much earlier in the logic model development
process – many basic logic models we have seen include a supporting page with the dia-
gram that lists the assumptions that belie the model drawn.

ASSUMPTION EXAMPLE: As proven in Anothertown, access to affordable medical care

reduces the incidence of emergency visits by providing appropriate, preventive primary care.
A free medical clinic should prove successful in Mytown, because of its history of extraordi-
nary volunteerism. Mytown’s Medical Society officially encourages its 400 medical profes-
sional members to volunteer 20 hours each year to help medically underserved community
residents. Mytown’s Nursing Association is also interested in collaborating with a free clinic.
Memorial Hospital has agreed to assist in planning and funding a free clinic. There is prece-
dence for lending free facilities to medical projects serving those in need. Mytown’s technical
college donates space for Mytown’s volunteer dental clinic. Mytown’s Free Clinic will be
strongly supported by the people, businesses and institutions of Mytown, USA.

Insert Mytown’s assumptions in the Assumptions box of the Theory-of-Change Template.

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 Exercise 3 Checklist:
After completing Exercise 3 and constructing your program theory, you can use the fol-
lowing checklist to assess the quality of your draft. It’s helpful if someone other than the
model’s creators reviews the first program draft and completes the checklist, too.

Yes Not Comments

Exercise Three Checklist Yet Revisions
1. The problems to be solved/or issues to be addressed by ■ ■
the planned program are clearly stated

2. There is a specific, clear connection between the ■ ■

identified community needs/assets and the problems to
be solved (or issues to be addressed).

3. The breadth of community needs/assets has been ■ ■

identified by expert/practitioner wisdom, a needs
assessment and/or asset mapping process.

4. The desired results/changes in the community and/or ■ ■

vision for the future ultimately sought by program
developers are specific.

5. Influential factors have been identified and cited from ■ ■

expert/practitioner wisdom and/or a literature review.

6. Change strategies are identified and cited from ■ ■

expert/practitioner wisdom and/or literature review.

7. The connection among known influential factors and ■ ■

broad change strategies has been identified.

8. The assumptions held for how and why identified ■ ■

change strategies should work in the community are
clear.

9. There is consensus among stakeholders that the model ■ ■

accurately describes the proposed program and its
intended results.

Page 33 Logic Model Development Guide

 Logic Model Development
Program Planning Template – Exercise 3

Page 34
Strategies Assumptions
5 6
• Mytown has a history of successful volunteer programs
• Create a free clinic staffed primarily by volunteer physicians,
• The Medical Society will encourage volunteers and provide on-going
nurses, and pharmacists as in Anywhere, USA
support
• Ask doctors to see patients for free in their own
• The clinic can find and operate in donated space
practices/Columbia, SC
• The hospital will support a free clinic to improve patient health and to
save money

Problem or Issue

Logic Model Development Guide

Desired Results
Influential 1 (outputs, outcomes,
Factors 4 • Increased #’s of uninsured workers
and impact)
• Local plant closings limit jobs 3
• Chamber predicts increase • Costs of uninsured ER care are rising • Increased access to
in # of small businesses • Hospitals cannot fund free ER care forever affordable health care for
unable to offer employee uninsured Mytown residents
health insurance • Create a free clinic to offer
• There is a strong affordable health care
community support for + education
Community Needs/Assets
a free clinic generated by 2 • Decrease # of uninsured
the Uninsured Task Force patients seeking care in ER
• 3 major corporate leaders • Memorial Hospital’s Annual Report states that 28% of
uninsured, male patients are seen in ER • Increase # of uninsured
have expressed interest in patients with a medical home
a free clinic • United Way Assessment lists health care for uninsured as
a top priority
• Memorial & Medical Society formed Task Force on
uninsured to research solutions
 Chapter 4

Using Your Logic Model to Plan for Evaluation

T
hinking through program evaluation questions in terms of the logic model com-
ponents you have developed can provide the framework for your evaluation plan.
Having a framework increases your evaluation’s effectiveness by focusing on ques-
tions that have real value for your stakeholders.
• Prioritization of where investment in evaluation activities will contribute the most use-
ful information for program stakeholders.
• Description of your approach to evaluation.
There are two exercises in this chapter; Exercise 4 deals with posing evaluation questions
and Exercise 5 examines the selection of indicators of progress that link back to the basic
logic model or the theory-of-change model depending on the focus of the evaluation and
its intended primary audiences.

Exercise 4 – Posing Evaluation Questions

The Importance of “Prove” and “Improve” Questions
There are two different types of evaluation questions – formative help you to improve
your program and summative help you prove whether your program worked the way you
planned. Both kinds of evaluation questions generate information that determines the
extent to which your program has had the success you expected and provide a ground-
work for sharing with others the successes and lessons learned from your program.

Benefits of Formative and Summative Evaluation Questions 3

Formative Evaluation – Improve Summative Evaluation – Prove

Provides information that helps you improve Generates information that can be used to
your program. Generates periodic reports. demonstrate the results of your program to
Information can be shared quickly. funders and your community.

Focuses most on program activities, out- Focuses most on program’s intermediate-

puts, and short-term outcomes for the pur- term outcomes and impact. Although data
pose of monitoring progress and making may be collected throughout the program,
mid-course corrections when needed. the purpose is to determine the value and
worth of a program based on results.

Helpful in bringing suggestions for improve- Helpful in describing the quality and effec-
ment to the attention of staff. tiveness of your program by documenting its
impact on participants and the community.

3
Adapted from Bond, S.L., Boyd, S. E., & Montgomery, D.L.(1997 Taking Stock: A Practical Guide to Evaluating
Your Own Programs, Chapel Hill, NC: Horizon Research, Inc. Available online at http://www.horizon-research.com.

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 Chapter 4

Looking at Evaluation from Various Vantage Points

How will you measure your success? What will those investing in your program or your
target audience want to know?

A clear logic model illustrates the purpose and content of your program and makes it eas-
ier to develop meaningful evaluation questions from a variety of program vantage points:
context, implementation and results (which includes outputs, outcomes, and impact).

What Parts of Your Program Will Be Evaluated?

Using a logic model to frame your evaluation questions.

Context Implementation Outcomes

Relationships Quality & Effectiveness, Magnitude,
& Capacity Quantity & Satisfaction

Influences
Activities Outputs
Outouts Short-Term Intermediate Activities
Outcomes Outcomes
Resources
and/or
Formative Evaluation Summative Evaluation
What aspects of our situation What did our program What is our assessment What have we learned
most shaped our ability to accomplish in our of what resulted from our about doing this kind
do the work we set out to community? work in the community? of work in a community
do in our community? like ours?

Remember you can draw upon the basic logic model in Exercises 1 and 2 and the theory-
of-change model in Exercise 3. Feasibility studies and needs assessments serve as valuable
resources for baseline information on influences and resources collected during program
planning.

Context is how the program functions within the economic, social, and political envi-
ronment of its community and addresses questions that explore issues of program rela-
tionships and capacity. What factors might influence your ability to do the work you have
planned? These kinds of evaluation questions can help you explain some of the strengths
and weakness of your program as well as the effect of unanticipated and external influences
on it.

Page 36 Logic Model Development Guide

 Sample CONTEXT QUESTIONS: Can we secure a donated facility? With the low morale cre-
ated by high unemployment, can we secure the financial and volunteer support we need?
How many medical volunteers can we recruit? How many will be needed each evening? How
will potential patients find out about the clinic? What kind of medical care will patients need?
How can we let possible referral sources know about the clinic and its services? What sup-
plies will we need and how will we solicit suppliers for them? What is it about the free clinic
that supports its ability to reduce the numbers of patients seeking care in Memorial
Hospital’s ER?

Implementation assesses the extent to which activities were executed as planned, since a
program’s ability to deliver its desired results depends on whether activities result in the
quality and quantity of outputs specified. They tell the story of your program in terms of
what happened and why.

SAMPLE IMPLEMENTATION QUESTIONS: What facility was secured? How many patients
were seen each night/month/year? What organizations most frequently referred patients to
the clinic? How did patients find out about the clinic? How many medical volunteers serve
each night/month/year? What was the value of their services? What was the most common
diagnosis? What supplies were donated? How many patients per year did the Clinic see in its
first/second/third year?

Outcomes determine the extent to which progress is being made toward the desired
changes in individuals, organizations, communities, or systems. Outcome questions seek
to document the changes that occur in your community as a result of your program.
Usually these questions generate answers about effectiveness of activities in producing
changes in magnitude or satisfaction with changes related to the issues central to your
program.

SAMPLE OUTCOME QUESTIONS: How many inappropriate, uninsured patients sought med-
ical care in Memorial’s ER in the Clinic’s first/second/third year? Was there a reduction in un-
funded ER visits? How did the number of uninsured patients compare to previous years
when the clinic was not operating? What was the cost/visit in the Free Clinic? What is the
cost/visit in Memorial’s ER? How do they compare? What were the cost savings to Memorial
Hospital? How satisfied were Clinic patients with the care they received? How satisfied were
volunteers with their service to the Clinic?

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 Chapter 4

Creating Focus
Though it is rare, you may find that examining certain components of your program is
sufficient to satisfy your information needs. Most often, however, you will systematically
develop a series of evaluation questions, as shown in the Flowchart for Evaluation
Question Development.

Flowchart for Evaluation Question Development

EVALUATION
Evaluation Audience Question Use
Focus Area
FOCUS AREA
1 Evaluation Focus Area
11
What is going to be evaluated? List those
components from your theory and/or logic
model that you think are the most important
aspects of your program. These areas will
become the focus of your evaluation.
The use of program theory
as a map for evaluation Evaluation
Focus Area
AUDIENCE
Audience Question Use

doesn’t necessarily imply that 2 Audience

every step of every possible 2
theory has to be studied. 2 What key audience will have questions
...Choices have to be made about your focus areas? For each focus
in designing an evaluation area you have identified, list the audiences
about which lines of that are likely to be the most interested in
inquiry to pursue. ...The that area.
theory provides a picture of
the whole intellectual land- Evaluation Audience QUESTION
Question Use

scape so that people can Focus Area

3 Question
make choices with a full 3
awareness of what they are What questions will your key audience have
ignoring as well as what about your program? For each focus area
they are choosing to study... and audience that you have identified, list
Weiss (1998) the questions they might have about your
program.
Evaluation
Evaluation
Focus Area
Audience Question INFORMATION
Use USE

4 Information Use
4
4 If you answer a given question, what will
For more detail, see the Evaluation that information be used for? For each
Planning Template – Exercise 4 audience and question you have identified,
on p. 44. list the ways and extent to which you plan to
make use of the evaluation information.

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 What is going to be evaluated?
For each area on which your program focuses, list the most important aspects of your
program theory and logic model. Focus your evaluation on them.

Focus Area Examples:

Context Examples — Evaluating relationships and capacity. How will the Free Clinic recruit
and train effective board and staff members? What is the best way to recruit, manage, retain
and recognize medical and administrative volunteers and other Clinic partners? What is the
most effective way to recruit and retain uninsured patients? How will the operation of a Free
Clinic affect Memorial Hospital’s expenses for providing uninsured medical care in its ER?
How many patients can Clinic volunteers effectively serve on a regular basis? What is the
ideal patient/volunteer ratio?

Insert focus areas into Focus Area Column of Evaluation Questions Development Template
for Evaluation Planning, Exercise 4.

Implementation Examples – Assessing quality and quantity. How many major funding part-
ners does the clinic have? How are volunteers and patients scheduled? How many medical
volunteers serve Clinic patients on a regular basis? What is the value of their services? What
is the most common diagnosis at the Clinic? What is the most common diagnosis of unin-
sured patients seen in Memorial’s ER? How long do patients wait to be seen at the Clinic? Is
there a patient or volunteer waiting list?

Insert focus areas into Focus Area Column of Evaluation Questions Development
Template for Evaluation Planning, Exercise 4.

Outcomes – Measuring effectiveness, magnitude and satisfaction. Has the clinic increased
access to care for a significant number of Mytown’s uninsured citizens? How many residents
of Mytown, USA, do not have health insurance? How many patients does the Clinic serve on a
regular basis? What is that ratio? What is the cost per visit in the Clinic and Memorial’s ER?
How do the costs compare? What is the satisfaction level of Clinic patients and volunteers
with Clinic services and facilities? How many donors does the Clinic have? What is their satis-
faction with Clinic services and facilities? How effectively is the Clinic educating, engaging and
involving its partners? What organizations have officially endorsed the Clinic? What is the
board and staff’s satisfaction with clinic operations, facilities and services?

Insert focus areas into Focus Area Column of Evaluation Questions Development Template
for Evaluation Planning, Exercise 4.

The benefits of asking and answering evaluation questions depend on how clear you are
about the purpose of your evaluation, who needs to know what when, and the resources
you have available to support the evaluation process.

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 Chapter 4

What Information Will Your Program’s Audiences Want?

As shown below, program audiences will be interested in a variety of different kinds of
information. Donors may want to know if their money did what you promised it would.
Patients might want to know how many patients the clinic serves and how many volun-
teers it has. Physicians donating their time and talent could be interested in the financial
value of their contributions. If you ask your audiences what they want to know, you’ll be
sure to build in ways to gather the evaluation data required.

Audience Typical Questions Evaluation Use

Program Are we reaching our target population? Programming decisions,

Management Are our participants satisfied with our program? day-to-day operations
and Staff Is the program being run efficiently?
How can we improve our program?

Participants Programming decisions, day-to-day operations Decisions about continu-

Did the program help me and people like me? ing participation.
What would improve the program next time?

Community Is the program suited to our community Decisions about partici-

Members needs? pation and support.
What is the program really accomplishing?

Public Officials Who is the program serving? Decisions about commit-

What difference has the program made? ment and support.
Is the program reaching its target population? Knowledge about the
What do participants think about the program? utility and feasibility of
Is the program worth the cost? the program approach.

Funders Is what was promised being achieved? Accountability and

Is the program working? improvement of future
Is the program worth the cost? grantmaking efforts.

How often do you have to gather data? Whether a question is more formative or summa-
tive in nature offers a clue on when information should be collected.
• Formative information should be periodic and reported/shared quickly to improve
your efforts.
• Summative tends to be “before and after” snapshots reported after the conclusion of the
program to document the effectiveness and lessons learned from your experience.

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 Involve Your Audience in Setting Priorities
Program developers often interview program funders, participants, staff, board and partners
to brainstorm a list of all possible questions for a key area identified from their program
theory or from their logic models. That list helps determine the focus of the evaluation.
Involving your audience from the beginning makes sure you gather meaningful informa-
tion in which your supporters have a real interest.

Prioritization is a critical step. No evaluation can answer all of the questions your pro-
gram’s audiences may ask. The following questions can help you narrow your number of
indicators: How many audiences are interested in this information? Could knowing the
answer to this question improve your program? Will this information assess your pro-
gram’s effectiveness?

The final focus for your evaluation is often negotiated among stakeholders. It is impor-
tant to keep your evaluation manageable. It is preferable to answer a few important
questions thoroughly than to answer several questions poorly. How well you can answer
your questions will depend on the time, money, and expertise you have at your disposal
to perform the functions required by the evaluation.

What key audiences will have questions about your evaluation focus
areas?
For each focus area that you identified in the previous step, list the audiences that are
likely to be most interested in that area. Summarize your audiences and transfer to the
Audience Column of the Evaluation Questions Development Template for Evaluation
Planning, Exercise 4.

Context – Relationships and Capacity

Example audiences: Medical professionals, Memorial Hospital Board and Staff (especially ER
staff), Medical associations, Foundations, The Chamber of Commerce, United Way, The
Technical College, uninsured residents, medical supply companies, local media, public officials.

Implementation – Quality and Quantity

Example audiences: Funders, In-kind donors, Medical and administrative volunteers, Board,
Staff, Patients, Public Officials, The media, Medical associations, Local businesses, Health
care organizations.

Outcomes – Effectiveness, Magnitude, and Satisfaction

Example audiences: Funders, In-kind donors, Volunteers, Board, Staff, Patients, Public
Officials, The media, Medical associations, Local businesses, Health care organizations.

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 Chapter 4

What questions will key audiences ask about your program?

For each focus area and key audience you identified in the previous step, list the questions
your stakeholders ask about your program. Insert summaries in the Question Column of
the Evaluation Questions Development Template for Evaluation Planning, Exercise 4 (on
page 44).

Sample of Key Audience Questions:

• Who are the collaborative partners for this program? What do they provide?
• What is the budget for this program?
• How many staff members does the program have?
• How many patients does the clinic serve?
• How many visits per year does the average patient have?
• What is the most common diagnosis?
• Does the clinic save the hospital money?
• How does the organization undertake and support program evaluation?
• How are medical volunteers protected from lawsuits?
• How satisfied are patients, volunteers, board and staff with the clinic’s services?
• What do experts say about the clinic?
• How many uninsured patients still seek inappropriate care in the ER? Why?

How will the evaluation’s information be used?

For each question and audience you identified in the previous step, list the ways and
extent to which you plan to make use of the evaluation information. Summarize audience
use of information. Insert in the Use Column of the Evaluation Questions Development
Template for Evaluation Planning, Exercise 4.

Context – Relationships and Capacity Examples

• Measure the level of community support.
• Assess effectiveness of community outreach.
• Assess sustainability of Clinic funding sources.
• Improve volunteer and patient recruitment methods.
• Secure additional Clinic partners.

Implementation – Quality and Quantity Examples

• Assess optimal number of volunteers and patients to schedule per session to improve
operating effectiveness while maintaining patient and volunteer satisfaction.
• Measure patient, volunteer, staff, board, donors and community satisfaction with clinic.
• Determine cost savings per visit. Share information with local medical and business
groups to encourage their support.

Page 42 Logic Model Development Guide

 Outcomes and Impact – Examples of Effectiveness, Magnitude, and Satisfaction
• Cost savings of Clinic – use to obtain additional volunteer and financial support from
Memorial Hospital.
• Patient satisfaction survey results – use to improve patient services and satisfaction.
• Analysis of most frequent referral sources – use to present information seminars to ER
staff, social service workers and unemployment insurance clerks to increase patient refer-
rals and intakes.
• Analysis of most prevalent patient diagnoses – use to create relevant patient health edu-
cation newsletter. Patient tracking system will measure impact of education program.

Exercise 4 Checklist: After completing Exercise 4 you can use the following checklist to
assess the quality of your draft.

Posing Questions Quality Criteria Yes Not Comments

Yet Revisions
1. A variety of audiences are taken ■ ■
into consideration when
specifying questions.

2. Questions selected are those with ■ ■

the highest priority.

3. Each question chosen gathers ■ ■

useful information.

4. Each question asks only one ■ ■

question (i.e. “extent of X, Y,
and Z” is not appropriate).

5. It is clear how the question ■ ■

relates to the program’s logic
model.

6. The questions are specific about ■ ■

what information is needed.

7. Questions capture lessons ■ ■

learned about your work along
the way.

8. Questions capture lessons ■ ■

learned about your program
theory along the way.

Page 43 Logic Model Development Guide

 Logic Model Development
Evaluation Planning Template – Exercise 4

Evaluation Audience Question Use

Focus Area
Funders Is the program cost effective? Cost benefits/fundraising
Relationships

Page 44
Are volunteers & patients satisfied with Clinic Program promotion/fundraising
services?

Medical Volunteers What is the most common diagnosis? Quality assurance/Planning

How will medical volunteers be protected from Volunteer recruitment

lawsuits?

Patients Am I receiving quality care? Program improvement & planning

How long can I receive care here? " "

Logic Model Development Guide

Staff Are we reaching our target population? Evaluation/program promotion

How do patients find us? What’s our best promo- Evaluation and/or improvement
tional approach?

Funders/Donors Program Budget? Cost benefit analysis

Cost/visit? "
Outcomes
Volunteers Visits/month/year? Annual Report/program promotion/public relations

Cost savings for Memorial Hospital? Annual Report/program promotion/fundraising

Patients Volunteers/year? Annual Report/volunteer recruitment

Patient satisfaction Program improvements/staff training

Staff Patient & volunteer satisfaction "

Common DRG(?)
 Exercise 5 – Establishing Indicators
One of the biggest challenges in developing an evaluation plan is choosing what kind of
information best answers the questions you have posed. It is important to have general
agreement across your audiences on what success will look like. Indicators are the meas-
The biggest problem is usu- ures you select as markers of your success.
ally that people are trying
to accomplish too many In this last exercise you create a set of indicators. They are often used as the starting point
results. Once they engage in for designing the data collection and reporting strategies (e.g., the number of uninsured
a discussion of indicators, adults nationally, statewide, in Mytown, USA, or the number of licensed physicians in
they start to realize how Mytown). Often organizations hire consultants or seek guidance from local experts to con-
much more clarity they duct their evaluations. Whether or not you want help will depend on your organization’s
need in their activities. level of comfort with evaluation and the evaluation expertise among your staff.

I also find that it is impor- Focus Area Indicators 1

tant that the program, not How to Evaluate
the evaluator, is identifying Influential Factors Measures of influential factors – may Compare the nature and extent
the indicators. Otherwise, require general population surveys of influences before (baseline)
the program can easily dis- and/or comparison with national data and after the program.
credit the evaluation by sets2.
saying they don’t think the
indicators are important, Resources Logs or reports of financial/staffing Compare actual resources
valid, etc. status. acquired against anticipated.

Beverly Anderson Parsons, Activities Descriptions of planned activities. Compare actual activities
WKKF Cluster Evaluator Logs or reports of actual activities. provided, types of participants
Descriptions of participants. reached against what was
proposed.

Outputs Logs or reports of actual activities. Compare the quality and quan-
Actual products delivered. tity of actual delivery against
expected.

Outcomes & Participant attitudes, knowledge, Compare the measures before

Impacts skills, intentions, and/or behaviors and after the program4.
thought to result from your activities3.

Examples and Use of Indicators.

1
This table was adapted from A Hands-on Guide to Planning and Evaluation (1993) available from the National AIDS
Clearinghouse, Canada.
2
You may want to allocate resources to allow for the assistance of an external evaluation consultant to access national data-
bases or perform statistical analyses.
3
Many types of outcomes and impact instruments (i.e. reliable and valid surveys and questionnaires) are readily available.
The Mental Measurement Yearbook published by the Buros Institute (http://www.unl.edu/buros/) and the ERIC
Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation (http://ericae.net/) are great places to start.
4
You may need to allocate resources to allow for the assistance of an external evaluation consultant.

Page 45 Logic Model Development Guide

 Chapter 4

Our advice is to keep your evaluation simple and straightforward. The logic model tech-
niques you have been practicing will take you a long way toward developing an evaluation
plan that is meaningful and manageable.

Determine the kinds of data you will need and design methods to gather the data (i.e.,
patient registration forms, volunteer registration forms, daily sign-in sheets, national, state
and local statistics). Sometimes, once an indicator (type of data) is selected, program
planners set a specific target to be reached as an agreed upon measure of success (for
example 25% decrease in the numbers of inappropriate ER visits).

As in the previous exercises use the space below to loosely organize your thoughts. Then,
once the exercise is completed and assessed, use the Indicator Development Template on
page 61 to record your indicators and technical assistance needs.

Filling in the Flowchart for Indicator Development

What information will be gathered to “indicate” the status of your
program and/or its participants?
Focus Area Question Indicators Technical Assistance
Needed
“

1 2 3 4

Column 1: Focus Areas – From the information gathered in Exercise 4, transfer the areas
on which your evaluation will focus into column one (for example, patient health, volun-
teer participation, sustaining supporting partnerships).

Column 2: Questions – transfer from Exercise 4 the major questions related to each focus
area – big questions your key audiences want answered. Remember to keep your evalua-
tion as simple as possible.

Column 3: Indicators – Specify the indicators (types of data) against which you will
measure the success/progress of your program. It’s often helpful to record the sources of
data you plan to use as indicators (where you are likely to find or get access to these data).

Column 4: Technical Assistance – To what extent does your organization have the evalua-
tion and data management expertise needed to collect and analyze the data that related to
each indicator? List any assistance that would be helpful – universities, consultants,
national and state data experts, foundation evaluation departments, etc.

Page 46 Logic Model Development Guide

 Exercise 5 Checklist: Review what you have created using the checklist below to assess
the quality of your evaluation plan.

Establishing Indicators Yes Not Comments

Quality Criteria Yet Revisions

1. The focus areas reflect the ■ ■

questions asked by a variety
of audiences. Indicators
respond to the identified focus
areas and questions.

2. Indicators are SMART– ■ ■

Specific, Measurable, Action-
oriented, Realistic, and Timed.

3. The cost of collecting data on ■ ■

the indicators is within the
evaluation budget.

4. Source of data is known. ■ ■

5. It is clear what data collection, ■ ■
management, and analysis
strategies will be most
appropriate for each indicator.

6. Strategies and required ■ ■

technical assistance have been
identified and are within the
evaluation budget for the
program.

7. The technical assistance ■ ■

needed is available.

Page 47 Logic Model Development Guide

 Logic Model Development
Indicators Development Template – Exercise 5

Page 48
Focus Area Question Indicators Technical Assistance
Needed
Relationships Are volunteers & patients • Patient satisfaction surveys Anywhere’s patient satisfaction surveys
satisfied w/ clinic care?
• Volunteer satisfaction tests Anywhere’s volunteer survey

Are we reaching our target • % of clinic patients vs. % of uninsured citizens Reports from Chamber of Commerce
population? in Mytown, USA
Outcomes
• # of qualified clinic patients/year Patient database creation

Logic Model Development Guide

How do patients find the • Annual analysis of telephone referral log Telephone log database
clinic?
• Referral question on patient intake form Anywhere’s patient intake form

Does the clinic save the • Cost/visit Budget figures; patient service records
community $?
• # of uninsured patients seen in hospital ER – Tracking database software
beginning the year before clinic opened Strategic direction for analysis

What does the clinic provide? • Most common diagnosis DRG workbook/tables (hospital staff)

• Hospital cost/visit for common diagnosis Input from hospital billing staff

How has volunteering • Annual volunteer survey Anywhere surveys and analysis instruments
affected doctors, nurses,
administrators and patients? • Patient satisfaction survey

• # of volunteers/year Volunteer management database

• # of volunteers donating to clinic operations Donor database (Raiser’s Edge?)

 Resources Appendix

This Appendix provides information on print and electronic resources available to support you
in your logic model development process.

1. Logic Model Information and Examples

University of Nevada, Reno Western CAPT web site
http://www.unr.edu/colleges/educ/captta/prev/evaluate.htm

BJA Evaluation web site

http://www.bja.evaluationwebsite.org

Schmitz, C. C. & Parsons, B. A. (1999). Everything you wanted to know about logic models
but were afraid to ask. Battle Creek, MI: W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

2. United Way of America’s Outcome Models

United Way of America web site
http://www.unitedway.org/outcomes/contents.htm

Measuring program outcomes: A practical approach.

United Way of America
701 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 836-7100

3. Definitions and Information on Program Theory and Evaluation

Program Theory Definitions

• A plausible and sensible model of how a program is supposed to work (Bickman, 1987, p. 5).
• The set of assumptions about the relationships between the strategy and tactics the program
has adopted and the social benefits it is expected to produce (Rossi, Freeman, & Lipsey,
1999, p.98).
• The full chain of objectives that links inputs to activities, activities to ... outputs, ... outputs to
... outcomes, and ... outcomes to ultimate goals constitutes a program’s theory
(Patton, 1997, p. 218).
• A set of interrelated assumptions, principles, and/or propositions to explain or guide social
actions (Chen, 1990, p. 40).
• An explanation of the causal links that tie program inputs to expected program outputs
(Weiss, 1998, p. 55).
• A chain of causal assumptions linking program resources, activities, intermediate outcomes,
and ultimate goals (Wholey, 1987, p. 78).

Page 49 Logic Model Development Guide

 Resources Appendix

Bickman, L. (Ed.). (1987). Using program theory in evaluation. New Directions for
Program Evaluation Series (no. 33). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Chen, H. T. (1990). Theory driven evaluations. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Wholey, J. S. (Ed). (1987). Organizational excellence: Stimulating quality and communicat-

ing value. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.

Wholey, J. S., Hatry, H. P., & Newcomer, K. E. (Eds.). (1994). Handbook of Practical
Program Evaluation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Weiss, C. H. (1998). Evaluation: Methods for studying programs and policies. (2nd Ed).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

4. W.K. Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Examples

W.K. Kellogg Foundation Web site
http://www.wkkf.org

W.K. Kellogg Foundation Evaluation Handbook.

To order contact:

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

P.O. Box 550
Battle Creek, MI 49015
(800) 819-9997
[item number 1203]

Parsons, B. A. (1999). Making logic models more systemic. A paper presented at the Annual
Meeting of the American Evaluation Association, Orlando, FL, November 1999.

Parsons, B. A., Schmitz, Co (1999) Everything You Wanted to Know About Logic Models
But Were Afraid to Ask. A paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American
Evaluation Association, Orlando, FL, November 1999.

5. Information about Logic Model Development and Use

The Evaluation Forum (1999). Outcomes for success.

The Evaluation Forum

1932 First Avenue, Suite 403
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 269-0171

Page 50 Logic Model Development Guide

 Freddolino, P. P. (1999). The program logic model: What it is and how to teach it. A pre-
conference workshop presented at the 1999 Conference of the Michigan Association for
Evaluation, East Lansing, MI, May.

Targeting Outcomes of Programs.

http://deal.unl.edu/TOP/synopsis.htm

Innovation Network, Inc. electronic logic model development tool

http://www.inetwork.org

6. Evaluation Planning Information

W.K. Kellogg Foundation Web site
http://www.wkkf.org

W.K. Kellogg Foundation Evaluation Handbook.

To order contact:
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
P.O. Box 550
Battle Creek, MI 49015
(800) 819-9997
[item number 1203]

Taking Stock.
http://www.horizon-research.org

The Evaluation Forum (1994). A field guide to outcome-based program evaluation.

The Evaluation Forum

1932 First Avenue, Suite 403
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 269-0171

Rossi, P. H., Freeman, H. E., & Lipsey, M. W. (1999). Evaluation: A systematic approach.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Patton, M. Q. (1997). Utilization-focused evaluation: The new century text. Thousand

Oaks, CA: Sage.

Page 51 Logic Model Development Guide

Page 52 Logic Model Development Guide
 Forms Appendix

This Appendix provides the worksheet templates and checklists for exercises 1-5:

Logic Model Development Program Planning and Implementation

Exercises 1 and 2 Template
Exercise 1 Checklist
Exercise 2 Checklist

Theory-of-Change Logic Model Development Planning

Exercise 3 Template
Exercise 3 Checklist

Logic Model Development Evaluation and Indicators Development

Exercise 4 Template
Exercise 4 Checklist
Exercise 5
Exercise 5 Checklist

Page 53 Logic Model Development Guide

 Logic Model Development
Program Implementation Template – Exercise 1 & 2

RESOURCES ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS SHORT- & LONG-TERM IMPACT

Page 54
OUTCOMES

In order to accomplish In order to address our We expect that once We expect that if accom- We expect that if accom-
our set of activities we problem or asset we will accomplished these plished these activities plished these activities
will need the following: accomplish the following activities will produce will lead to the following will lead to the following
activities: the following evidence changes in 1–3 then 4–6 changes in 7–10 years:
or service delivery: years:
Forms Appendix

Logic Model Development Guide

 Exercise 1 Checklist

Yes Not Comments/

Progress Toward Results Quality Criteria – 1 Yet Revisions
1. A variety of audiences are taken into consideration when ■ ■
specifying credible outputs, outcomes, and impacts.

2. Target participants and/or partners are described and quanti- ■ ■

fied as outputs (e.g. 100 teachers from 5 rural high schools).

3. Events, products, or services listed are described as outputs ■ ■

in terms of a treatment or dose (e.g. 30 farmers will partici-
pate in at least 3 sessions of program, or curriculum will be
distributed to at least 12 agencies).

4. The intensity of the intervention or treatment is appropriate ■ ■

for the type of participant targeted (e.g. higher-risk partici-
pants warrant higher intensities).

5. The duration of the intervention or treatment is appropriate ■ ■

for the type of participant targeted (e.g. higher-risk partici-
pants warrant longer duration).

6. Outcomes reflect reasonable, progressive steps that partici- ■ ■

pants can make toward longer-term results.

7. Outcomes address awareness, attitudes, perceptions, knowl- ■ ■

edge, skills, and/ or behavior of participants.

8. Outcomes are within the scope of the program’s control or ■ ■

sphere of reasonable influence.

9. It seems fair or reasonable to hold the program accountable ■ ■

for the outcomes specified.

10. The outcomes are specific, measurable, action-oriented, real- ■ ■

istic, and timed.

11. The outcomes are written as change statements (e.g. things ■ ■

increase, decrease, or stay the same).

12. The outcomes are achievable within the funding and reporting ■ ■
periods specified.

13. The impact, as specified, is not beyond the scope of the pro- ■ ■
gram to achieve.

Page 55 Logic Model Development Guide

 Forms Appendix

Exercise 2 Checklist

Theory into Action Quality Criteria Yes Not Comments/Revisions

Yet
1. Major activities needed to implement ■ ■
the program are listed.

2. Activities are clearly connected to the ■ ■

specified program theory.

3. Major resources needed to implement ■ ■

the program are listed.

4. Resources match the type of program.

5. All activities have sufficient and ■ ■

appropriate resources.

Page 56 Logic Model Development Guide

 Logic Model Development
Program Planning Template – Exercise 3

Strategies Assumptions

Page 57
5 6

Problem or Issue Desired Results

Logic Model Development Guide

Influential 1 (outputs, outcomes,
Factors 4 and impact)
3

Community Needs/Assets
2
 Forms Appendix

Exercise 3 Checklist

Yes Not Comments/

Exercise Three Checklist Yet Revisions
1. The problems to be solved/or issues to be addressed by ■ ■
the planned program are clearly stated

2. There is a specific, clear connection between the ■ ■

identified community needs/assets and the problems
to be solved (or issues to be addressed).

3. The breadth of community needs/assets has been ■ ■

identified by expert/practitioner wisdom, a needs
assessment and/or asset mapping process.

4. The desired results/changes in the community and/or ■ ■

vision for the future ultimately sought by program
developers are specific.

5. Influential factors have been identified and cited from ■ ■

expert/practitioner wisdom and/or a literature review.

6. Change strategies are identified and cited from ■ ■

expert/practitioner wisdom and/or literature review.

7. The connection among known influential factors and ■ ■

broad change strategies has been identified.

8. The assumptions held for how and why identified ■ ■

change strategies should work in the community are
clear.

9. There is consensus among stakeholders that the model ■ ■

accurately describes the proposed program and its
intended results.

Page 58 Logic Model Development Guide

 Logic Model Development
Evaluation Planning Template – Exercise 4

Evaluation Audience Question Use

Focus Area

Page 59
Logic Model Development Guide
 Forms Appendix

Exercise 4 Checklist

Posing Questions Quality Criteria Yes Not Comments/

Yet Revisions
1. A variety of audiences are taken ■ ■
into consideration when
specifying questions.

2. Questions selected are those with ■ ■

the highest priority.

3. Each question chosen gathers ■ ■

useful information.

4. Each question asks only one ■ ■

question (i.e. “extent of X, Y,
and Z”) is not appropriate).

5. It is clear how the question ■ ■

relates to the program’s logic
model.

6. The questions are specific about ■ ■

what information is needed.

7. Questions capture lessons ■ ■

learned about your work along
the way.

8. Questions capture lessons ■ ■

learned about your program
theory along the way.

Page 60 Logic Model Development Guide

 Logic Model Development
Indicators Development Template – Exercise 5

Page 61
Focus Area Question Indicators Technical Assistance
Needed

Logic Model Development Guide

 Forms Appendix

Exercise 5 Checklist

Establishing Indicators Yes Not Comments/

Quality Criteria Yet Revisions

1. The focus areas reflect the ■ ■

questions asked by a variety
of audiences. Indicators
respond to the identified focus
areas and questions.

2. Indicators are SMART– ■ ■

Specific, Measurable, Action-
oriented, Realistic, and Timed.

3. The cost of collecting data on ■ ■

the indicators is within the
evaluation budget.

4. Source of data is known. ■ ■

5. It is clear what data collection, ■ ■
management, and analysis
strategies will be most
appropriate for each indicator.

6. Strategies and required ■ ■

technical assistance have been
identified and are within the
evaluation budget for the
program.

7. The technical assistance ■ ■

needed is available.

Page 62 Logic Model Development Guide

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