Q: Is the LogFrame is the right Q: Is the LogFrame is the right tool for managing most NGOtool for managing most NGO

work?work?

A: Not as it is used. We could do A: Not as it is used. We could do better, with better toolsbetter, with better tools

11th June 2009 Rick Davies at BOND 2

CaveatsCaveats

• Criticism here is of LogFrames only, Criticism here is of LogFrames only, • One member of a wider family of logic modelsOne member of a wider family of logic models

• The LogFrame has mutated into many formsThe LogFrame has mutated into many forms• There is no one pure modelThere is no one pure model

• My concern is with finding better alternatives My concern is with finding better alternatives • Which are “inter-operative”Which are “inter-operative”

• My evidence: M&E consultancy >1990, plusMy evidence: M&E consultancy >1990, plus• 3 UNICEF and 1 GTZ project in Indonesia, 3 DFID 3 UNICEF and 1 GTZ project in Indonesia, 3 DFID

funded, 1 AusAID funded, 2006-2009funded, 1 AusAID funded, 2006-2009

11th June 2009 Rick Davies at BOND 3

1. Criticisms of the structure1. Criticisms of the structure

• Use of time as the main axis presents three Use of time as the main axis presents three problemsproblems• Artificial, abstract, confusing distinctions between Artificial, abstract, confusing distinctions between

points in time (A>O>P>G), where none exist in realitypoints in time (A>O>P>G), where none exist in reality• No feedback loops (these are not possible, because No feedback loops (these are not possible, because

time cant go backwards)time cant go backwards)• Complex linkages between row events are left out, Complex linkages between row events are left out,

even if a Problem Tree Analysis was done beforeeven if a Problem Tree Analysis was done before

• Four rows only, and often only two are usedFour rows only, and often only two are used

11th June 2009 Rick Davies at BOND 4

2. Criticisms of how they are used2. Criticisms of how they are used

• Goals that are generalisations of lower level Goals that are generalisations of lower level events, rather than describe their results events, rather than describe their results

• Long, complex, unreadable sentences, in the Long, complex, unreadable sentences, in the narrative column, trying to say too muchnarrative column, trying to say too much

• A story line that is impossible to followA story line that is impossible to follow• Frequent absence of references to Frequent absence of references to whowho is is

involved, and too many descriptions of involved, and too many descriptions of abstract change processesabstract change processes

• Overly simple indicators used to describe Overly simple indicators used to describe complex developments complex developments

11th June 2009 Rick Davies at BOND 5

3. Wider usage issues3. Wider usage issues

• Accountability and Learning issuesAccountability and Learning issues• Excessive focus on horizontal logic. Even Excessive focus on horizontal logic. Even

more so in the new DFID LogFrame layoutmore so in the new DFID LogFrame layout• Opportunities come from explicating and Opportunities come from explicating and

testing the Theory-of-Change (vertical testing the Theory-of-Change (vertical logic). But who is interested?logic). But who is interested?

• Introduction of weighting of outputs in DFID Introduction of weighting of outputs in DFID ARs is a positive development!ARs is a positive development!

11th June 2009 Rick Davies at BOND 6

A healthy mutation…?A healthy mutation…?

• Develop a Develop a SocialSocial FrameworkFramework, where, where• Each row describes Each row describes a a type of actortype of actor• The sequence of rows describes The sequence of rows describes a a

chain of actorschain of actors, forming a , forming a pathway pathway along which influence takes placealong which influence takes place

• Assumptions column can describe how Assumptions column can describe how these actors are influenced by these actors are influenced by a wider a wider network of actorsnetwork of actors surrounding them surrounding them

11th June 2009 Rick Davies at BOND 7

AdvantagesAdvantages

• WhoWho is involvedis involved and responsible at each and responsible at each level is clear. This enables participationlevel is clear. This enables participation

• Two way influenceTwo way influence process is built in process is built in

• What matters is the functioning of What matters is the functioning of the the whole chainwhole chain (= distributed accountability) (= distributed accountability)

• Relationships between two levels Relationships between two levels can be can be magnifiedmagnified to show detail, by related tools to show detail, by related tools

11th June 2009 Rick Davies at BOND 8

SourcesSources

• ““The Logical Framework: A list of useful The Logical Framework: A list of useful documents”documents”

• ““The Social Framework as an The Social Framework as an alternative to the Logical Framework”alternative to the Logical Framework”

• This PowerPoint: See “BOND Debate” This PowerPoint: See “BOND Debate”

All at: All at: www.mande.co.ukwww.mande.co.uk

11th June 2009 Rick Davies at BOND 9

Example Social FrameworkExample Social Framework

Forest communitiesForest communities OVIOVI MOVMOV AssumptionsAssumptions

A GovernmentA Government

Other CSOsOther CSOs

In-country partnerIn-country partner

UK NGOUK NGO