Developing A Logical Framework, Lecture notes of Logic

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The Logical Framework

Sivia Qoro

Sources: EU, EPTISA, CIDT

The Logical Framework Objectives: By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Explain why Logical Frameworks are useful
• Understand the causal relationships for each levels (cause and effect structure)
• Develop LogFrame description statements
  • Overall Objectives (Goal)
  • Specific Objectives (Purpose)
  • Expected Results (Outcomes)
  • Activities
• Develop indicators that correspond to the LogFrame description statements
• Identifying assumptions
• Objectively verifiable indicators
• Sources of Verification

Purposes of a Logical Framework

• A management / systematic tool –
  • for designing, planning, implementing, and monitoring and evaluating a project (or programme).
• A tool for systematic thinking—
  • for relating inputs to the implementation of activities, activities to the production of outputs, outputs to the achievement of a defined purpose, and purpose to a high-level goal or impact.
• A tool for identifying and assessing risks —
  • by listing critical assumptions inherent in project design and implementation.
• A tool for measuring project progress —
  • through objectively verifiable indicators and means of verification.
• A tool for developing consensus and communicating a project’s intent and strategy

Purposes (con’t)

• It brings together all in one place a statement of all the key components of the project and programme.
• Meets requirements of a good project design-
  • by facilitating possible responses to past weaknesses.
• Time saving for project management —
  • Many project staff report that they are often short of time and work around the clock.
• Facilitates implementation.
• Donor funding – new and ongoing
• Facilitates participation by appropriate stakeholders - in the decision making process
• Facilitates team approach - where objectives , OVIs, means of verification and assumptions are agreed to by all participants.

Applying the Logical Framework

Approach

• Simply means applying clear logical thought when

tackling problems or challenges

• To apply the Logical Framework Approach:
  • Undertake a thorough analysis of the context in which the project will operate;
  • Ensure that the experience and opinions of all stakeholders are taken into account;
  • Encourage a harmonised approach with partners and other donors; and
  • Acknowledge, identify and review risks and assumptions, and develop robust mitigating actions.
• To accomplish the above – preparatory analysis, stakeholder analysis, SWOT

Overview of the Logical Framework

Approach

• Log frame matrix, a documented product of the LFA is prepared before a project proposal and makes its integral part.
• The two Main Stages of Logical Framework Approach:
  1. Analysis stage; and 2. Planning stage

1. Analysis Stage

• Preparatory Analysis
• Stakeholder Analysis
• Problem Analysis
• Analysis of Objectives
• Analysis of Strategies/Alternatives

Logic of the Framework

• Overall Objective (intervention logic) - The highest level of objectives. The goal constitute the long-term vision for the project. State the long-term social and/or economic (impact) benefits to which the project will contribute, and describe why the project is important for the beneficiaries and for the society.
• Specific Objective (project purpose) - States the expected outcomes, or direct effects, of the project. These are the benefits which the beneficiares derive from the project. The purpose states why the project is needed by the beneficiaries. SMART.
• Expected Results (Outcome) - States the service(s) the beneficiaries will receive from the project. What the project will be responsible for delivering.
• Activities - Activities constitute the means to achieve the goals. The activities shall tackle the causes/reasons of the focal or core problem(s), the roots of the tree. The activities are the work that is done by those involved in the project.

Causal Logic Modeling (Cause and Effect)

Cause and Effect Modeling

• A systematic tool that visually shows, through a graphic illustration or picture, how a particular initiative occurs through logical relationships.

Project Description

Indicators Source of Verification

Assumptions

Label?

Label?

Label?

Label?

Writing Description Statemetns

Project Description

Goal

Objective(s)/ Outcome(s)

Deliverables/ Outputs

Activities

The broad development impact to which the project contributes – at a national or sector level Statement Wording: “To contribute to…”

The development outcome at the end of the project – more specifically the expected benefits to the target group(s) Statement Wording: “Increased, improved, etc.”

The direct/tangible results (goods &services) that the project delivers, and which are largely under project management control Statement Wording: “delivered/produced/conducted, etc.” The tasks (work program) that need to be carried out to deliver the planned results Statement Wording: “Prepare, design, construct, research, etc.”

Examples of Goal Statements

- Provide training to mothers and children to make them more

healthy (bad)

• Healthy mothers and children (fair)
• To promote trade in the Pacific ACP countries (good)
• To contribute to the achievement of universal primary education (MDG 2) for children with hearing impairment in rural areas in 13 Provinces of PNG (good)

The Logic of LogFrames Project Description

Indicators Source of Verification

Assumptions

Goal

Objective(s)/ Outcome(s)

Deliverables/ Outputs

Activities

If the horizontal logic is followed AND assumptions hold true; Then the project will likely succeed.

Identifying Assumptions

Objective(s) Improved river water quality

Goal: To contribute to improved health, particularly of under 5s

Outcome 1 Reduced volume of fecal waste discharged into the river system

Assumption(s)

Assumption(s)

Define Objectively Verifiable Indicators

• Basic principle – if you measure it you can manage it
• Performance Measures – describe the project’s objectives in operationally measurable terms
• Specify the performance standard to be reached in order to achieve the goal, the purpose and the outputs
• The necessary and sufficient test
• Specified in terms of quantity, quality, time, target group and place
• SMART

SMART Indicators

A good OVI is SMART: Specific to the objective it is supposed to measure and substantial, i.e. it reflects an essential aspect of an objective in precise terms. Measurable either quantitatively or qualitatively, in a factual way. Each indicator should reflect fact rather than subjective impression. It should have the same meaning for project supporters and to informed sceptics. Available at an acceptable cost, based on obtainable data. Indicators should draw upon data that is readily available or that can be collected with reasonable extra effort as part of the administration of the project Relevant to the information needs of managers and plausible, i. e. the changes recorded can be directly attributed to the project Time-bound so we know when we can expect the objective/target to be achieved