What is it we do again?

1. What is it we do again? Understanding your program and its value through the program logic model Jonathan Brown, M.A. Aarin Frigon, M.A.

2. Logic Models: An Overview • A graphic way to represent the current thinking about a project. • Logic models facilitate: • Design • Planning • Communication • Evaluation • Learning

3. Logic Models: An Overview • Two types of logic models: • Theory of Change Models (TCM) • Program Logic Models (PLM) • The TCM provides the conceptual framework, while the PLM provides the operational details. • The TCM and PLM are premised on the same research, theory, and practice. • These models fulfill your if-then statements.

4. Theory of Change Models Strategies Results

5. Theory of Change Models Strategies Results Exercise Nutrition Improved Health Stress Reduction Recruitment and Retention (Knowlton & Phillips, 2009)

6. Program Logic Models • A PLM serves as a recipe. • It will describe in detail how financial and social capital will be used to produce specific results. • They can be used to represent many things: an idea, an existing program, or a process to create change.

7. Program Logic Models Inputs Activities Outputs Outcomes Impacts Strategies Results

8. Program Logic Models: Nonlinear

9. Creating a Program Logic Model Step One • Start by identifying the end result of your program. • Identify the impact • The ultimate change or accomplishment. • The timing of the impact varies from program to program. • This may occur well after the final cycle of the program.

10. Creating a Program Logic Model Step Two • Identify the outcomes • Specific changes in program targets. • These changes are a result of the programs activities and inputs. • If including impact in the model, outcomes would be steps of progress towards that impact. • These can be distinguished according to time. • Time should be specified and relative to the program.

11. Creating a Program Logic Model Step Three • Identify activities • What will be done to obtain the desired outcomes. • These are the essence of the program. • The tools, events, and interventions. • These reflect intended processes.

12. Creating a Program Logic Model Step Four • Identify inputs • Inputs are the ingredients needed to make your program happen. • Infrastructure • Special Equipment • Supplies • Transportation • Financial and Human Resources • Some models even list willing participants as inputs.

13. Creating a Program Logic Model Step Five • Identify outputs • What the program activities actually produce/create. • Outputs should be expressed in quantity and quality. • Make sure you are specific.

14. Displaying Your Model • How to display your model is a matter of personal preference. • There are no clear rules. • Keep your audience in mind. • Be careful when choosing boxes, lines, curved lines, circles, and single or double headed arrows. • Readability should be a number one priority.

16. Program Logic Models and Evaluation • A well developed PLM will outline the indicators needed for an evaluation. • Five key evaluation questions: • Is the program doing the right thing? • Is the program doing things right? • What difference has the program made among participants? • What difference has the program made across the community? • How could the program better address the needs of participants and the community?

17. Important Considerations • Just because it is called a logic model does not mean it is logical. • Creating and updating logic models should be an iterative process. • It is a good idea to identify the dose of the program in the model.

18. QUESTIONS?? Jonathan Brown, M.A. jbrown@asc4solutions.com Aarin Frigon, M.A. afrigon@asc4solutions.com