1. So what? Using Logic Models to Write Strong Impact Statements
Katherine Webb-Martinez
Program Analyst, MPA
Office of Program Planning and Evaluation
December 9, 2010

2. Presentation Desired Outcomes
An understanding of how basic logic model techniques help define outcomes
An understanding of how to write strong impact statements

3. What will show that you’ve arrived?
Logic Model as Road Map
Where are you going?
How will you get there?
What will show that you’ve arrived?
“If you don’t know where you are going, how are you gonna’ know when you get there?”
Yogi Berra 3

4. Everyday Example of Program TheoryU N G R Y
Get food
Eat food
Feel better
Adapted from University of Wisconsin-Extension, Program Development and Evaluation 4 4 4

5. Logic Model - chain of connections
What we invest
The problem
What we do
What results
Situation:
Background,
Rationale,
Goals
Inputs:
Time,
Volunteers,
Research base
Outputs/Methods:
Activities,
Participation
Products
Learning
Outcomes:
Knowledge,
Attitude,
Skill
Action
Outcomes:
Behavior,
Policy
Condition
Outcomes:
Economic gain,
Societal or
Environmental
improvement
Time 5 5

6. ANR Thematic Logic Model Examples
Review in DoView application

7. Developing a logic model
Card Sort Activity:
Each set of cards depicts a program
Put cards in logical order depicting the program’s theory
Adapted from University of Wisconsin-Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

8. Outputs/Methods How did you serve your clientele?
Workshops, short courses, field days, etc.
Educational presentations
Publications
Research findings
New methodologies and models
New products (patents, plant or animal varieties)
New practical knowledge for policy decision makers 8 8

9. Outcomes How has the clientele/area situation improved as a result of your program?
Learning Outcomes ~ short-term
Knowledge
Attitude
Skill
Action Outcomes ~ medium-term
Behavior/Practice
Policy
Condition Outcomes ~ long-term
Social/Health
Economic
Environmental 9 9

10. Activity: Developing your Outcome Chain
Adapted from University of Wisconsin-Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

11. Mark key outcomes
Notice patterns of arrows
Notice key links
Are all activities connected to outcomes?
Mark outcomes that are most important to your clientele
Mark outcomes that are important to you and the organization
Highlight all ‘through-lines’ that go from activity to long-term outcomes – key pathways

12. What is an Impact Statement?
A brief description of the difference your work has made. 12 12

13. Not how many worms the bird feeds its young, but how well the fledgling flies
(United Way of America, 1999) 13 13 13

14. Writing Outcomes/Impact Statements
1. How have program participants benefitted from your work?
2. What is or will be the ultimate benefit realized (by a group, community, population, area or society at-large)?
What effect did your publications have?
Was your work adapted and extended by others?
What did participants learn?
What attitudes changed?
What skills were increased?
What practices/behavior changed?
How many people changed?
Were policies changed as a result? 
How much money was saved?
What were the final outcomes? 14 14

15. How to Include Long-term Impacts ?
Challenges:
Take a lot of time to be realized
Difficult to measure
What you can do:
Include desired long-term impacts
Use literature/
research to explain how your work connects/contributes to impacts 15 15

16. Examples of How to Use Literature/Research
“Research shows that engaging youth in civic activities is the most effective way to promote civic identity formation and subsequent civic engagement in adulthood.”
(UC Cooperative Extension brings new opportunities to Placer County youth by Shannon Dogan)
Research shows that planting cover crops reduces erosion. 16

17. Formula for Strong Outcomes/Impact Statement
Describe Outcome/Benefit
Explain to Whom or What Area
Include Quantification
Be sure to answer
So What? Who cares?
Can also include:
Scope of the impact (county, regional, statewide, etc.)
Information on how evidence to document outcomes was collected (surveys, observation, etc.) 17 17

18. Outcomes/Impact Statement Weaknesses
Focused on personal not clientele/area outcomes (“proud to be with CE”)
Vagueness (“thousands”)
Lack of projected impacts to explain program theory (does NOT answer “so what?”) 18

19. Activity: Review following examples to identify strengths and weaknesses of real impact statements.

20. Natural Resource Example:
More healthy milk for humans.  20 20

21. Ag Example:
I am particularly proud to represent UC ANR in the counties I serve and I believe my program has raised the awareness of Cooperative Extension and the unique role we all play in improving the environment, the economy, and the individual lives of our clientele. I will continue to seek out partnerships and collaborations with UC ANR faculty, specialists, and advisors in order to bring the best science to the issues my clientele face. 21 21

22. Natural Resource Example:
These are new control methods for application on western juniper. They have been adopted by local ranchers and chipping operators. Potentially these techniques could be widely applied on rangelands throughout northeastern California and southern Oregon. 22 22

23. Natural Resource Example:
This research will help managers and policy makers make sound decisions regarding watershed management and policy as it relates to stream temperature. Data should be applicable throughout northern California, the Sierras, as wells the intermountain west. 23 23

24. NF&CS Example:
Based on results from a comparison of pre- and post-Food Behavior Checklist responses from workshop participants who completed four or more hours of lessons in , improvements were documented in the following areas: Food Resource Management: (plan meals, economical shopping and does not run out of food)--72% and Food Safety Practices: (thawing food and food stored properly)--66%. 24 24

25. Resources University of Wisconsin Extension
Logic model templates:
Free online course:
Penn State Cooperative Extension
American Evaluation Association