11 August 2008 - SPA508 Policy Analysis & Design-

1. 11 August 2008 - SPA508 Policy Analysis & Design- What logic models are Their purpose Their components Building logic models

2. What Logic Models Are • May be viewed as a series of “if-then” statements • Link resources to activities to outputs to goals

3. Policy Making & Management Uses • For program & policy planning - helps clarify strategy • For program management to • Develop an implementation plan • Monitor performance • For communicating program & its results

4. Components: The Context • Problem statement (distillation of the problem definition) • Brief statement of problem: what it is, whom it effects, why it is a problem (implied cause) • Goals (outcomes)– intended results, for whom

5. Components: Activities • Actions needed to implement the program • Types (see Workbook, p 11) • Developing products • Providing services • Conducting advocacy • Building capacity

6. Components: Resources • Resources or inputs • Human resources – how many? Doing what? • Financial resources • Space available • Technology – hardware/software, electronic communications, other equipment • Materials & office supplies

7. Components: Outputs • Direct products or results of the activities • Usually expressed as quantities or scope (increased service area) • Does not indicate anything about quality (a lot doesn’t mean good) • Should be able to link to activities & resources (remember how much can be produced may depend on the amount of resources)

8. Components: Outcomes I • Change(s) that occurred or difference made b/c of program/policy • Difference betw outputs & outcomes (p 17) • Should be measurable • Common types of changes (pp 13-14) • Learning • Behavior or action • Condition

9. Components: Outcomes II • Focus • Individual • Family or community • Systemic (crosses organizational lines; may look at networks, collaboration) • Organizational • Change of outcomes links to time (p. 16) • Short –term • Intermediate • Long-term

10. Looking at sample logic models • TROSA – drug rehabilitation center • Model used as part of an evaluation (accountability) study • First step in trying to understand a program • What it does • What it is trying to do • Why it should be effective (get the desired outcomes)

11. Where to start • Can start at the end and work one’s way backward • Can start at the beginning and constantly ask “why is this being done” • Note model is built with a program or policy in mind

12. Another Example: Project Description Family Involvement Project (FIP) plans to improve outcomes for children by increasing parent involvement in their children’s education. FIP recruits and trains parent leaders in communities at workshops. The workshops teach parent leaders how to get involved in their children’s education and how to train other parents in their community to get involved.

13. Using a Logic Model • Amount of detail depends on intended use • Examine the brief model (Family) & • Identify all the ways that occur to you as to how to use the model • (Recall: models can be used for program planning, evaluation, communication) • Examine the expanded model (Parent) • What value does it add? • Suggest when you would use the brief model, the expanded model

14. 1st Pass at Model Building I • Let’s build a model for the policy “All motorcyclists must wear approved helmets” • Which long term outcome would you use • Decrease the number of injuries & fatalities or • Decrease the number of injuries & fatalities due to head injuries

15. Model Building 2 • What short term outcome(s) would proceed the long term outcome? • Would you include these outputs? • % aware of statute • Size of enforcement effort • % owning a helmet • What activities would you include?

16. On your own • Build a logic model for a disaster training program for teachers & school children

17. Next class: 25 August • Cost Benefit Analysis (on wiki) • We will focus on chapters 2 & 3