What is a Logic Model? A depiction of a program showing what the program will do and what it is to accomplish. A series of “if-then” relationships that suggest (domino effect): If the program is implemented as intended (and designed) desired outcomes will be realized A systematic and visual way to depict the relationship that exists among the resources, activities, and desired results of a project or program. Thus, a completed logic model depicts how the project will work and is sometimes referred to as the program theory.

Logic Models Can Be Used To: Clarify the intention of the project Enhance communication among team members Manage the project Design the evaluation plan and choose evaluation questions Document a project and how it worked Examine the program

The Visual… Need Goal(s) Inputs Activities Outputs Outcomes Evidence-based practices are used to: establish goals as effective and efficient ways to meet needs; establish activities as effective and efficient ways to operationalize goals; establish the direct outputs likely to result from activities; and/or establish that desired outcomes eventually will be realized in some proportion of the target population.

Common Logic Model Chart

Steps in Developing a Logic Model Meet with stakeholders to: identify the program or project’s mission and/or goals and objectives Identify all relevant and important outcomes associated with the goals determine appropriate activities or strategies that logically connect to or bring about the desired outcomes identify outputs of the activities

Levels of Project Outcomes Short-term Outcomes typically involve learning: awareness, knowledge, attitudes, skills Intermediate Outcomes typically involve action: behavior, practice, policies Long-term Outcomes typically involve conditions: social, economic, civic, environmental

REMEMBER! Focus on Short and Intermediate-term outcomes that can be completed within the grant period

Outputs are not Outcomes! Outputs are the direct products of program activities, usually measured by “volume”, such as the number of classes taught or number of participants served They serve an important role in formative evaluation and in meeting the evaluation criteria for SPDG grant applications

SPDG Evaluation Criteria (italics added) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives and outcomes of the proposed project. The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies.

SPDG Evaluation Criteria - continued The extent to which the methods of the evaluation include the use of objective performance measures that are clearly related to intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and qualitative data to the extent possible.

SPDG Evaluation Criteria - continued The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback and permit assessment of progress toward achieving intended outcomes