Brief presentation and workshop for Miami-based Public Allies

1. Logic Models & Theories of Change
Scot Evans
Natalie Kivell
University of Miami

2. Think of a personal
challenge, problem,
or opportunity that
you’ve recently
decided to do
something about
1.
2.
3.
What goals have you set for yourself?
What will you do to reach these goals?
How will you know you’ve accomplished your goals?

3. Two reasons why
change efforts don’t
work:
Theory failure
Implementation failure

4. Theory failure
- Underlying assumptions of the program
theory are not appropriate for the
context
- The program is implemented well, yet
doesn’t affect the variables specified by
the program theory
- The activity of program is not
implemented adequately
Implementation failure

5. • Theory: “a set of beliefs or
assumptions that underlie
action” (Weiss, 1997)
• Program theory: “a plausible and
sensible model of how a
program is supposed to work”
(Bickman, 1987)
• Make program theory explicit in
advance to help surface
assumptions, make explicit
plans, and structure the
evaluation

7. Baby Literacy Project
• Goal: All parents and caregivers of 6-12 month
old children born in Waterloo Region will be
actively engaged in stimulating their child’s
emergent literacy skills.
Activities:
Collaborative deployment of
early literacy “toolkits” and
accompanying programming

9. The Learning Organization
orientation
Learning
is an
organizational characteristic that
affects how information is processed.
culture
an organizational
that
places importance on learning is
integral to achieving success
organizations that have a strong
learning orientation have the ability to
understand the cause and effects of
their
actions

10. Why Logic Models?
Aligns actions to mission
Examines
assumptions, resources, rat
ionales, activities, etc.
The result: a tool to
educate, communicate, pla
n, build consensus, and
fundraise.
Also critical for evaluation!

11. Where Do I Begin? If… then…

12. • Problem Statement:
• Goal:
– Clearly articulate the
problem you’re trying to
solve
– What are you trying to
accomplish? (The
solution to the problem)
– I do not own my
home, so I do not
experience the many
financial and emotional
benefits of home
ownership.
– To increase my financial
independence and
security through home
ownership

13. • Rationales:
• Assumptions:
– Beliefs about how
change occurs, based on
research, experience, or
best practices
– Conditions necessary for
success, that you believe
are true. Out of your
control
– Home ownership
increases a person’s
options for financial
stability and wealthbuilding.
– There are houses for sale
for which potential
homebuyers will qualify.

14. • Resources:
– What you currently have
(HR, Financial, Space, Tec
hnology, other
equipment, materials)
– In-kind contributions
– If logic model will be a
part of a proposal or
funding request, include
resources you need but
don’t have
• Activities:
– The actions needed to
implement your program
• Developing products
• Providing services
• Engaging in policy
advocacy
• Building infrastructure

15. • Outputs
• Outcomes
– Measurable, tangible
results of activities
– Each output should have
activities and resources
associated with it
– Focus on quantitative
– The changes that occur/
difference that is made
– Potential homeowners
increase understanding
of home buying process
Chain of Outcomes
Short-term:
Expected
Intermediate:
Wanted
Long-term:
Hoped for
(Learning)
(Action)
(Condition)

16. Ready?
• Split into TSP groups &
work on each aspect of
your logic model in
intervals
– Individually: 2 mins
– Group: 3 mins
• Problem statement
• Goal statement
• Assumptions &
resources
• Quick share (2 mins)
• Outcomes Chain
• Activities & Output

17. Additional Resources:
Innovation Network Logic Model Workbook:
http://www.innonet.org/client_docs/File/logic_model_workb
ook.pdf
Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Development Guide:
http://www.uwsa.edu/edi/grants/Kellogg_Logic_Model.pdf
Action Evaluation Collaborative – Theory of Action Guide:
http://actionevaluation.org/theory-of-actiontheory-of-changetools-resources/
“Tearless Logic Model”
http://www.gjcpp.org/en/tool.php?issue=7&tool=9