Home » Enhancing Program Performance with Logic Models » Section 4: What Does a Logic Model Look Like? » 4.1: A caution about the linearity of Logic Models
4.1: A caution about the linearity of Logic Models
Some people see the logic model as very structured and linear, with neat and tidy boxes lined up like a pipeline or a string of dominoes that fall forward in a linear progression. The program is designed, delivered, and produces outcomes while participants are viewed as passive recipients.
But we know that programs are NOT neat and tidy. Participants are NOT passive. Program development is a very dynamic and iterative process. There are likely to be a series of fits and spurts, following an iterative process of moving forward and then back two steps. Participants are active partners, interacting with the flow. Real programs are messy, as are the environments in which they exist.
Vertical and Horizontal Flows in Logic Models
Logic Model is a Systems Model
Thus, as we saw in Section 3, logic models are usually not a single line of boxes connected by arrows. They are multiple chains with horizontal, vertical, and diagonal connectors between and among components, including the external environment. In fact, that’s the hardest thing about developing a logic model–depicting the lines and arrows that show connections and the circular feedback loops in a way that communicates to users.
Some people caution about the seeming linearity of logic models: they often are neat and tidy, with boxes lined up like a pipeline or like a string of dominoes that fall forward in linear progression. We know that programs are NOT neat and tidy. They are more likely to be a series of fits and spurts; to follow an iterative process of moving forwards and then back two steps. Real programs are messy, as are the environments in which they exist.
