This document discusses goals, objectives, and logic models for program planning and evaluation. It defines what goals and objectives are, and outlines best practices for writing them. Goals should be broad statements of desired impact, while objectives need to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. A logic model uses a series of "if-then" relationships to connect program resources to activities, outputs and outcomes. It is a visual way to organize goals and objectives. Developing high quality goals and objectives leads to better program design, implementation and sustainability.

1. GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND LOGIC MODELS
APRIL 4TH, 2012
John F.X. Prior, LCSW
Program Improvement Team Leader
Christen Egge, B.S.
Graduate College of Social Work Intern
Harris County Protective Services
For Children and Adults

2. Road Map for Today:
 What are goals, objectives, and logic models?
 What makes good goals, objectives, and logic
models?
 How can goals and objectives take form in a logic
model?
 Why are goals, objectives, and logic models
valuable to you?

3. What is a goal?
•A broad and future oriented statement of the
desired condition
•Describe overall mission or purpose of the
program
•Help establish the overall direction for and focus of
a program
• Does not have to be measurable

4. Declarative statements
Jargon-free
Concise
Easily understood
Positive
Framework to guide objectives
Target Populations
Good Goals Are:

5. Examples of Good Goals:
Example: Enhance active
communication, coordination, and collaboration
among family support systems to improve existing
or developing children’s mental health programs
Example: Expand awareness of the HAY Center to
clients and to the community at large

6. What is an objective?
•A specific and usually quantifiable statement of
program achievement.
• A statement of measurable outcome which can be
used to determine program progress towards the
program goal.
•Answer: who will make what change, by how much,
where and by when.

7. What makes a good objective?
SMART:
•Specific
•Measurable
•Achievable
•Realistic
•Time Specific

8. Specific
•Use specific rather than generalized language:
Clearly state:
• the issue
• the target group
• the time of the program
• The place of the program
Objectiv
es
should
not be
“clear as
mud”

9. Measurable
•What will be changed and by
how much
•Creating clear measure
objectives will allow for clear
evaluation

10. Achievable
•Be realistic about what the program can achieve in
terms of the:
• scale/scope of what is being done
• time
• resources available
•Unrealistic goals will not will not be
beneficial to programs that have quality outputs and
outcomes because they will still appear to not be
meeting goals

11. Relevant
•Objectives need to relate to and be
relevant to the goals.
•Remember objectives are the building
blocks/steps toward meeting the goals
Do not mix
apples and
oranges

12. Time Specific
•Be clear in the objectives about the
timeframe in which the
program/activities, as well as expected
changes, will take place

13. What is a Logic Model?
•A series of “if-then” relationships connect the
components of the logic model:
• if resources are available to the program,
• then program activities can be implemented;
• if program activities are implemented successfully,
• then certain outputs and outcomes can be expected.
Resources Activities Outputs Outputs
If…
Then ThenThen

14. What makes a good Logic
Model?
•Having good goals and objectives is helpful in
organizing a good logic model
•Each part of a logic model should lead to the next.

15. How to create a Logic Model?
•Work backwards beginning with outcomes and then ending at
resources
•Utilize quality goals and objectives in the logic model
•For example:
• Goal: To decrease the overutilization of acute medical services such as
emergency rooms visits and/or hospitalizations for children’s mental
health needs
• Objective 1: The production and distribution of Natural Supports Resources
available for children’s mental health needs
• Expected Results:
1. Increased knowledge of Natural Support Resources among family leaders as
measured by the distribution of 1,200 Natural Supports Resource Guides.
2. Increased collaboration among family leaders as measured by 25 participants of
Family Leadership Coalition Online Networking.
Outcom
e on
Logic
Model
Outcom
e on
Logic
Model
Activity
on
Logic
Model
Target
on
Logic
Model
Target
on Logic Model

16. Example Logic Model

17. Why does this matter to you?
Quality programs lead to quality sustainability!
Quality goals and objectives lead to quality programs
The higher the quality of a goal or objective, the more quality
present in a logic model.
Logic Models are a visual representation of goals and
objectives

18. Questions/Comments?