Introducing our new logic model guide and checklist

More people working in local government on economic growth want good quality logic models to underpin funding bids and to develop successful local programmes. Logic models allow systematic thinking about programmes and projects and the hoped for changes resulting from them.

Our new guide, Using logic models, is aimed at people working in local economic growth and complements our training. It provides advice and step-by-step guidance on developing a good logic model for a policy, programme or project. In it you will find tips and questions to consider during the process, and an example illustrating each step. A checklist accompanies the guide to help you test the links between the steps and the assumptions of a logic model.

The guide walks through the five steps to developing a logic model:

1. Context: First identify the problem or need you are trying to solve. Look at the evidence, including local datasets and wider research.
2. Results: Define what the intervention hopes to achieve. What is expected to change due to the intervention?  Focus on the need and the desired outcomes before considering a specific intervention.
3. Intervention: Next, think about programme or project delivery. What resources are needed (inputs); what will be done (activities); and what will it deliver (outputs).
4.  Evaluation strategy:  How will you know if the outcomes and impacts have been achieved? Our 8-step guide to better evaluation may help.
5. Sense checks:  Check connections between all the steps and test assumptions. Use our logic model checklist. And try explaining the project to someone else not involved in the project planning.

Developing a logic model is a collaborative process. Discuss the logic model with colleagues and funders. Does each step make sense and is it consistent with the evidence?

It is best to develop a basic logic model at the start to outline objectives and initial thoughts on what activities you will need. However, it is never too late to develop a logic model. Use it to think about lessons learnt, to adapt an intervention partway through, or shape messaging.

This blog includes a few key points, but more prompts, advice, and tips can be found in the full guide and checklist. Try using them when thinking about new projects, when developing logic models with your team, and when reviewing draft logic models from colleagues or delivery providers.

If you are a local economic growth policymaker interested in learning more about logic models and how to use them effectively, please sign up, along with colleagues, for our ‘Making use of logic models: practical training for local economic growth’ workshop.