Do-It-Yourself Logic Models
Examples, Templates, and Checklists
Johanna Morariu and Ann Emery
Innovation Network
www.innonet.org

Excerpt from our webinar with GrantStation
February 26, 2014
About Innovation Network
• More than 20 years old

• Support nonprofits and funders to
collect and use information for
decisionmaking
• Free evaluation resources at
www.innonet.org

Johanna
About Johanna & Ann
Johanna Morariu
Director
jmorariu@innonet.org
@j_morariu

Ann Emery
Associate
aemery@innonet.org
@annkemery
www.innonet.org/research

Research on evaluation practice
in the nonprofit sector

White papers with tips for grantees and grantmakers

Johanna

Research and guides for advocates

Blog posts, podcasts,
videos, and more
Let’s Connect!
innonet.org
facebook.com
/innovation.network

@innonet_eval
#eval

Ann
Goals for today’s webinar

 Clarify logic model
purpose in evaluation
 Learn about key logic
model terms and
concepts
 Ready to begin making
and using logic models

Johanna
Logic Models
Synonyms
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Theory of change
Model of change
Road map
Conceptual map
Pathways map
Mental model
Blueprint for change
Action framework

Johanna

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Program framework
Program theory
Program hypotheses
Theoretical underpinning
Theoretical rationale
Causal chain
Causal links
Chain of causation
Typical shape

Johanna
Uses

Johanna

• Program Design

• Fundraising/grantwriting

• Evaluation Planning

• Performance Monitoring

• Consensus-building

• Organization alignment

• Communications
Logic Model Components
If-then statements

Activities
or Services

Outputs

If we do this…

Short-Term
Outcomes

Ann

Interim
Outcomes

Long-Term
Outcomes

… then this should happen.
Definitions of key terms

Johanna
Examples
Women at Work

Johanna
Try it yourself!
www.innonet.org

Ann
New User Registration

Ann
Logic Model Builder

Ann
One tab per section

Ann
Problems/Goals

Ann
Rationale/Assumptions

Ann
Presentation View

Johanna
Presentation View

Johanna
Frequently Asked Questions
At what level do I make my logic model?
Organization
Department
or Initiative

Program

Johanna
How detailed should it be?
Resources

Ann

Too vague

Too specific

Just right

Staff

1 project lead (40 hrs/wk)
2 project associates (40
hrs/wk)
1 part-time support (20
hrs/wk)

3 full-time staff
1 part-time staff

Supplies

25 paintbrushes
50 bottles of paint
250 sheets of paper
25 coffee cans
Dishwashing liquid

Art supplies
How detailed should it be?
Activities
Too vague
Hire a real-estate
agent

Too specific
Conduct Google search
Interview friends and
family
Choose 3 books
Read 3 books
Try nearby restaurants
Set up review meeting
Take friends and family on
neighborhood tours

Johanna

Just right
Research local
neighborhoods
(amenities and
prices)
Hire a real-estate
agent
Tour priority
neighborhoods
How detailed should it be?
Outcomes

Ann

Client-Focused

Family or Community

Parents use alternative discipline
approaches

Improved communication among family
members

Children are better prepared to enter school
(Knowledge, attitudes, behavior)

Higher percentage of homeowners as
opposed to renters in low-income
community

Organizational

Systemic

Increased efficiency

Integrated system of services or interagency
resource sharing

Increased collaboration with other
organizations

Greater coordination among partners
How do I select short-, intermediate-,
and long-term outcomes?

Ann

Short-Term

Intermediate-Term

Long-term

Knowledge, learning

Attitudes, behavior

Conditions

Increased knowledge of
which immunizations are
needed, and when

Increased understanding
of the importance of
childhood immunization

Increased number of
children who receive up to
date immunizations

Increased knowledge
of where to go to have
their children immunized

Increased number of
parents who take their
children to be immunized

Fewer children suffer
from preventable
childhood diseases

Closer in time
Easier to measure
More attributable to program

More distant in time
Harder to measure
Less attributable to program
What’s the difference between
outputs and outcomes?

Johanna

Outputs

Outcomes

Direct and measurable products;
Often expressed in terms of volume or
units delivered

Results or impacts;
They are often the result of many
outputs

# of new mothers receiving 6+ home
visits

Participating new mothers increase their
knowledge of child development

Action Plan developed to clean and
monitor neighborhood play areas

Neighborhood residents clear vacant
lots and build playgrounds

# of meetings held with legislators,
# of legislators receiving opinions paper

Increased awareness among legislators
of policy options
When should I make a logic model?
Start thinking
about new
program

Apply for
funding

Most useful time to
create logic models

Program
begins

Program
ends

Ann

Submit
final
report

Least useful time to
create logic models
How long does it take
to develop a logic model?

Ann

Draft 1

Draft 2

“Final”

Update1

Update 2

Hand-drawn;
Sticky notes;
Large poster
paper

Type your
logic model;
Continue
sharing with
colleagues

Submit with
your grant
proposal

Update, updat
e, update…

Update, updat
e, update…
Cool Tricks

Drafts on big paper

Johanna
Cool Tricks

Drafts drawn by hand

Johanna
Who should be involved?

Evaluation
Work Group

Johanna
When editing, what should I look for?

Ann

Reviewing your logic model:
 Are your resources sufficient to implement your
program?
 Have you included all the major activities needed to
implement your program?
 Do activities, outputs, short-, intermediate-, and
long-term outcomes relate to each other logically?
 Does your logic model clearly identify the scope of
your program’s influence?
When editing, what should I look for?

Johanna
How often should I update
my logic model?

Johanna

 Does your logic model represent changes you made
to your program from the last cycle?
 Does it represent current levels of resources,
staffing, and participation?
 Has it been reviewed when key staff have joined or
left the program?
 Has it been reviewed when organizational changes
have occurred to check for organizational alignment?
Learn More
Resources mentioned today
Capacity and Organizational
Readiness for Evaluation Tool

Logic Model Template

Theory of Change Cheat Sheet
Evaluation Plan Template

Ann
Workbooks
Logic Model Workbook

Ann

Evaluation Plan Workbook
www.innonet.org/resources

Johanna
www.innonet.org/resources

Johanna
www.innonet.org/resources

Johanna
Recap of today’s webinar

 Clarify logic model
purpose in evaluation
 Learn about key logic
model terms and
concepts
 Ready to begin making
and using logic models

Johanna
Thank You!

Innovation Network
Johanna Morariu
Director
jmorariu@innonet.org
@j_morariu

Ann Emery
Associate
aemery@innonet.org
@annkemery

Do-It-Yourself Logic Models: Examples, Templates, and Checklists

  • 1.
    Do-It-Yourself Logic Models Examples,Templates, and Checklists Johanna Morariu and Ann Emery Innovation Network www.innonet.org Excerpt from our webinar with GrantStation February 26, 2014
  • 2.
    About Innovation Network •More than 20 years old • Support nonprofits and funders to collect and use information for decisionmaking • Free evaluation resources at www.innonet.org Johanna
  • 3.
    About Johanna &Ann Johanna Morariu Director jmorariu@innonet.org @j_morariu Ann Emery Associate aemery@innonet.org @annkemery
  • 4.
    www.innonet.org/research Research on evaluationpractice in the nonprofit sector White papers with tips for grantees and grantmakers Johanna Research and guides for advocates Blog posts, podcasts, videos, and more
  • 5.
  • 6.
    Goals for today’swebinar  Clarify logic model purpose in evaluation  Learn about key logic model terms and concepts  Ready to begin making and using logic models Johanna
  • 7.
  • 8.
    Synonyms • • • • • • • • Theory of change Modelof change Road map Conceptual map Pathways map Mental model Blueprint for change Action framework Johanna • • • • • • • • Program framework Program theory Program hypotheses Theoretical underpinning Theoretical rationale Causal chain Causal links Chain of causation
  • 9.
  • 10.
    Uses Johanna • Program Design •Fundraising/grantwriting • Evaluation Planning • Performance Monitoring • Consensus-building • Organization alignment • Communications
  • 11.
  • 12.
    If-then statements Activities or Services Outputs Ifwe do this… Short-Term Outcomes Ann Interim Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes … then this should happen.
  • 13.
    Definitions of keyterms Johanna
  • 14.
  • 15.
  • 16.
  • 17.
  • 18.
  • 19.
  • 20.
    One tab persection Ann
  • 21.
  • 22.
  • 23.
  • 24.
  • 25.
  • 26.
    At what leveldo I make my logic model? Organization Department or Initiative Program Johanna
  • 27.
    How detailed shouldit be? Resources Ann Too vague Too specific Just right Staff 1 project lead (40 hrs/wk) 2 project associates (40 hrs/wk) 1 part-time support (20 hrs/wk) 3 full-time staff 1 part-time staff Supplies 25 paintbrushes 50 bottles of paint 250 sheets of paper 25 coffee cans Dishwashing liquid Art supplies
  • 28.
    How detailed shouldit be? Activities Too vague Hire a real-estate agent Too specific Conduct Google search Interview friends and family Choose 3 books Read 3 books Try nearby restaurants Set up review meeting Take friends and family on neighborhood tours Johanna Just right Research local neighborhoods (amenities and prices) Hire a real-estate agent Tour priority neighborhoods
  • 29.
    How detailed shouldit be? Outcomes Ann Client-Focused Family or Community Parents use alternative discipline approaches Improved communication among family members Children are better prepared to enter school (Knowledge, attitudes, behavior) Higher percentage of homeowners as opposed to renters in low-income community Organizational Systemic Increased efficiency Integrated system of services or interagency resource sharing Increased collaboration with other organizations Greater coordination among partners
  • 30.
    How do Iselect short-, intermediate-, and long-term outcomes? Ann Short-Term Intermediate-Term Long-term Knowledge, learning Attitudes, behavior Conditions Increased knowledge of which immunizations are needed, and when Increased understanding of the importance of childhood immunization Increased number of children who receive up to date immunizations Increased knowledge of where to go to have their children immunized Increased number of parents who take their children to be immunized Fewer children suffer from preventable childhood diseases Closer in time Easier to measure More attributable to program More distant in time Harder to measure Less attributable to program
  • 31.
    What’s the differencebetween outputs and outcomes? Johanna Outputs Outcomes Direct and measurable products; Often expressed in terms of volume or units delivered Results or impacts; They are often the result of many outputs # of new mothers receiving 6+ home visits Participating new mothers increase their knowledge of child development Action Plan developed to clean and monitor neighborhood play areas Neighborhood residents clear vacant lots and build playgrounds # of meetings held with legislators, # of legislators receiving opinions paper Increased awareness among legislators of policy options
  • 32.
    When should Imake a logic model? Start thinking about new program Apply for funding Most useful time to create logic models Program begins Program ends Ann Submit final report Least useful time to create logic models
  • 33.
    How long doesit take to develop a logic model? Ann Draft 1 Draft 2 “Final” Update1 Update 2 Hand-drawn; Sticky notes; Large poster paper Type your logic model; Continue sharing with colleagues Submit with your grant proposal Update, updat e, update… Update, updat e, update…
  • 34.
    Cool Tricks Drafts onbig paper Johanna
  • 35.
    Cool Tricks Drafts drawnby hand Johanna
  • 36.
    Who should beinvolved? Evaluation Work Group Johanna
  • 37.
    When editing, whatshould I look for? Ann Reviewing your logic model:  Are your resources sufficient to implement your program?  Have you included all the major activities needed to implement your program?  Do activities, outputs, short-, intermediate-, and long-term outcomes relate to each other logically?  Does your logic model clearly identify the scope of your program’s influence?
  • 38.
    When editing, whatshould I look for? Johanna
  • 39.
    How often shouldI update my logic model? Johanna  Does your logic model represent changes you made to your program from the last cycle?  Does it represent current levels of resources, staffing, and participation?  Has it been reviewed when key staff have joined or left the program?  Has it been reviewed when organizational changes have occurred to check for organizational alignment?
  • 40.
  • 41.
    Resources mentioned today Capacityand Organizational Readiness for Evaluation Tool Logic Model Template Theory of Change Cheat Sheet Evaluation Plan Template Ann
  • 42.
  • 43.
  • 44.
  • 45.
  • 46.
    Recap of today’swebinar  Clarify logic model purpose in evaluation  Learn about key logic model terms and concepts  Ready to begin making and using logic models Johanna
  • 47.
    Thank You! Innovation Network JohannaMorariu Director jmorariu@innonet.org @j_morariu Ann Emery Associate aemery@innonet.org @annkemery