What is a logic model?
This is a visual representation of the intended plan and outcomes for a project, initiative, or organization. It uses graphics to demonstrate the relationships between the different components and show how you plan to achieve the intended outputs.
What does a logic model template include?
A logic model template includes the basic components of a project, along with their relationships and contextual information that helps you visualize and communicate your overall plan.
Here are the sections you’ll find in a logic model template:
- Situation: A description of the overall objective, such as solving a specific problem or achieving a goal.
- Inputs: What you’ll invest to achieve your objective, such as time, money, human capital, equipment, and other resources.
- Outputs: The deliverables you’ll create using the given resources and who will receive the deliverables.
- Outcomes: The impact you’ll create by providing the deliverables to the given audience.
- Assumptions: Any assumptions you’re making relevant to the project.
- External factors: The outside factors that may impact the outputs or impact of your project.
- Relationships: Arrows denote the relationships between components.
Benefits of using a logic model
Logic models are useful tools that can help you pitch, plan, and manage a given project or initiative. Here’s a closer look at their key advantages.
Improved strategic planning
Logic models provide a systematic approach for projects, allowing you to streamline ideation and management. Not to mention, thinking through the different components and their relationships helps you proactively identify potential gaps, allocate resources more efficiently, and manage risk from the start of the process.
Simplification and clarity
Since 72% of the workday is devoted to communicating, doing it well is crucial. Using a graphical representation is an easy way to summarize and explain the critical factors of your project. Instead of relying on a long document to show your reasoning, a logic model clearly outlines the components of your project and how they interact with one another, all on one page.
Increased stakeholder engagement
You can use logic models to encourage discussion with your stakeholders, making them feel more involved with each initiative. Logic models are also excellent reference tools you can use as you review progress and evaluate the project with leadership along the way.
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