Home » Enhancing Program Performance with Logic Models » Section 2: More about Outcomes » 2.5: Focus of Outcomes
2.5: Focus of Outcomes
We often think of outcomes for individuals and many working in educational programs focus on learner objectives and learner outcomes. But we are not always focused on individual change in our education and outreach programs. Increasingly, we are working to affect group or community change.
What is the focus of your program and who or what is expected to change: an individual, a group, family or household, an agency or organization, a community, or a system? Outcomes for an individual will be different from family outcomes or community outcomes. Always be clear about the focus of your program.
What is the focus of your program?
Select each focus area to see examples of outcomes for each.
Focus: Individual (Child, client, community resident, group member)
- Farmers are able to assess risks.
- Residents feel safe in their neighborhood.
- Members of the collaborative know now to conduct a needs assessment.
Focus: Group (Family or household, club, work group, community group)
- Families increase their savings
- A work group practices democratic governance
- A community group has an inclusive membership policy
Focus: Agency, Organization, Institution
- Communication patterns have changed.
- Resources have been redirected.
- The referral system is improved.
Focus: System (Agencies, departments, organizations, social system, integrated systems)
- All youth-serving agencies implement an integrated system of services.
- Interagency resource sharing exists.
- Business implements new employment policy nationally.
Focus: Community
- The environment is cleaner, safer.
- Youth are valued as contributing members.
- New policies (laws) have been enacted.
Unintended Outcomes
Remember that outcomes may occur that are neither intended nor anticipated. And, sometimes outcomes occur that are negative or have unintended negative consequences. Pay attention in your logic model development to possible unintended results, both positive and negative.
