Purpose: Evaluation, management, communications

Sometimes we are in the midst of a program when we want, or need, to create a logic model. Perhaps we want to communicate to others about our program, plan an evaluation (having forgotten to include an evaluation upfront when we were planning!!), or need to detail a management plan.

Some of the same approaches we previously discussed for planning also apply when we create logic models for evaluation, management and communications. We think about our program or initiative and usually start by asking: What is it that we do? What activities are we engaged in? Next we list all activities. Then we ask, “Why?” We continue asking “Why?” until the entire program and its logic are fully depicted and the logic model is complete.

Example

An activity is being planned to Host a Farmer Field Day. Select each “Why” card to see the sequence used to build the logic model.

Sometimes in the process of building a logic model for an existing program, we discover gaps in our logic, incomplete implementation, inadequate resources available, misunderstanding about the program among stakeholders, or dynamics from the external environment we hadn’t considered. Engaging in logic model creation helps clarify and improve programs.

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