Developing Logic Models

What is a logic model?

A logic model presents a picture of how your initiative is supposed to work. It explains why your strategy is a good solution to the problem at hand.

• An explicit statement about what activities/services will bring about change and what results you expect to see for the community and its people.

• Logically links activities/services and effects.

• Close synonyms: Theory of Change, Hypothesis

Why make a logic model?

A good logic model orients the participants in the effort in the same direction. It establishes a common language and point of reference. Importantly, it will propose a hypothesis that can be tested throughout the research project.

How to create a logic model?

Focus on problems, activities, and effects first. Most likely, there will be short, middle, and long-term effects, so be sure to focus on the HOW - how does one effect lead to the next effect? You can have multiple steps/arrows within the Effects box. Other boxes can be filled in easier after these three are squared away.

Problem

• Objective observation in real world

• What motivates the need for change?  and who benefits?

Inputs 

• Resources used by initiative

• What resources are needed?

Constraints

• Barriers to the initiative’s goals

Activites

• What the program does with resources to direct the course of change

• What would it take to create change and achieve measurable results?

Outputs

• Direct evidence of having performed the activity

• What will we produce?

Effects

• Results, consequences, outcomes, or impacts of initiative 

• Short, middle, and long-term (as applicable)

• What is the change or outcome for which we want to be held accountable for?

Context

• What is the climate in which change will take place?  What trends compete with the effort?