LOGIC MODEL
The logic model is at the center of UW-Extension Program Development.
It displays the sequence of actions that describe what the program
is and will do – how investments link to results. We include
5 core components in this depiction of the program action:
- INPUTS:
resources, contributions, investments that go into the program
- OUTPUTS:
activities, services, events and products that reach people
who participate or who are targeted
- OUTCOMES: results or
changes for individuals, groups, communities, organizations,
communities, or systems
- Assumptions: the beliefs we have about
the program, the people involved, and the context and the
way we think the
program will
work
- External Factors: the environment in which the program
exists includes a variety of external factors that
interact with and
influence the program action.
In UW-Extension, we use the logic model in planning, implementation,
evaluation and communication. While the term “program” is
often used, we find a logic model equally useful for describing
group work, team work, community-based collaboratives and other
complex organizational processes as we seek to promote results-based
performance.
The UW-Extension logic model draws on experience
with the USAID Log Frame (~1971) and the hierarchy of program
effectiveness
(Bennett, 1976; later with Rockwell, 1995), long a program
evaluation framework in Cooperative Extension nationwide as well
as work
by Wholey, 1979, 1987; Mayeske, 1994; Reisman, 1994; United
Way, 1996; Montague, 1997 and others. This logic model classifies
Activities as OUTPUTS where we also include Participation.
This
has
- allowed us to simplify the model and language
- helped us focus
on outcomes versus outputs
- allowed us to attend equally to
the important aspects of who participates or is reached that
is central to our programming
and diversity goals.
The UW-Extension logic model serves as the conceptual framework
for the institution-wide Impact
Indicator initiative based in the UWEX Vice-Chancellors
office. A variety of resource materials and professional development
offerings are available to help faculty, staff and partners understand
and use the logic model in planning, implementation, evaluation
and communications.
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