Logic Models & Theories of ChangeScot Evans

Natalie KivellUniversity of Miami

1. What goals have you set for yourself? 2. What will you do to reach these goals?3. How will you know you’ve accomplished your goals?

Think of a personal challenge, problem, or opportunity that

you’ve recently decided to do

something about

Theory failure

Implementation failure

Two reasons why change efforts don’t work:

- Underlying assumptions of the program theory are not appropriate for the context

- The program is implemented well, yet doesn’t affect the variables specified by the program theory

Theory failure

Implementation failure

- The activity of program is not implemented adequately

• Theory: “a set of beliefs or assumptions that underlie action” (Weiss, 1997)

• Program theory: “a plausible and sensible model of how a program is supposed to work” (Bickman, 1987)

• Make program theory explicit in advance to help surface assumptions, make explicit plans, and structure the evaluation

• Goal: All parents and caregivers of 6-12 month old children born in Waterloo Region will be actively engaged in stimulating their child’s emergent literacy skills.

Baby Literacy Project

Collaborative deployment of early literacy “toolkits” and

accompanying programming

Activities:

Learning orientation is an organizational characteristic that

affects how information is processed.

an organizational culture that places importance on learning is

integral to achieving success

organizations that have a strong learning orientation have the ability to

understand the cause and effects of

their actions

The Learning Organization

Why Logic Models?Aligns actions to mission

Examines assumptions, resources, rationales, activities, etc.

The result: a tool to educate, communicate, plan, build consensus, and fundraise.

Also critical for evaluation!

Where Do I Begin? If… then…

• Problem Statement:– Clearly articulate the

problem you’re trying to solve

– I do not own my home, so I do not experience the many financial and emotional benefits of home ownership.

• Goal:– What are you trying to

accomplish? (The solution to the problem)

– To increase my financial independence and security through home ownership

• Rationales:– Beliefs about how

change occurs, based on research, experience, or best practices

– Home ownership increases a person’s options for financial stability and wealth-building.

• Assumptions:– Conditions necessary for

success, that you believe are true. Out of your control

– There are houses for sale for which potential homebuyers will qualify.

• Resources:– What you currently have

(HR, Financial, Space, Technology, other equipment, materials)

– In-kind contributions– If logic model will be a

part of a proposal or funding request, include resources you need but don’t have

• Activities:– The actions needed to

implement your program• Developing products• Providing services• Engaging in policy

advocacy• Building infrastructure

• Outputs– Measurable, tangible

results of activities– Each output should have

activities and resources associated with it

– Focus on quantitative

• Outcomes– The changes that occur/

difference that is made– Potential homeowners

increase understanding of home buying process

Short-term: Expected(Learning)

Intermediate: Wanted(Action)

Long-term: Hoped for

(Condition)

Chain of Outcomes

Ready?

• Split into TSP groups & work on each aspect of your logic model in intervals– Individually: 2 mins– Group: 3 mins

• Problem statement • Goal statement • Assumptions &

resources • Quick share (2 mins)• Outcomes Chain • Activities & Output

Additional Resources: Innovation Network Logic Model Workbook:http://www.innonet.org/client_docs/File/logic_model_workbook.pdf Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Development Guide: http://www.uwsa.edu/edi/grants/Kellogg_Logic_Model.pdf Action Evaluation Collaborative – Theory of Action Guide:http://actionevaluation.org/theory-of-actiontheory-of-change-tools-resources/ “Tearless Logic Model”http://www.gjcpp.org/en/tool.php?issue=7&tool=9