Logic Model

From EvaluationWiki

The underlying rationale for the evaluand's design, usually an explanation of why the various components of the program (for example) have been created and what-and how-each of them is supposed to contribute towards achieving the desired outcomes. Some logic models include environmental factors, some do not. Note that we are talking about the alleged 'theory of operation' and the evaluation may discover considerable discrepancies between this-the view of the designers and possibly also the managers of the program-and the views of the service deliverers who are the hands-on staff engaged in dealing with the recipients of service or product. Which of these is the 'program theory'? Moreover, neither of these theories may be right; that is, what these groups say may not correctly describe the actual causal processes governing the operation of the program. So there are always (possibly) three 'logic models' and you need to be clear which one(s) you're talking about. You also need to be clear how much time to spend on working out what each of these theories is. The hard-nosed answer is: ten minutes, to get the management theory straight. The other two are not needed in order to do the evaluation, and the management view is the only one you have to refer to in the final report. You do not need to find out what does make the program work or fail, in order to determine whether and how much good or harm it does, the core evaluation task. See explanation.