Logic Model Fundamentals
Definition of a Logic Model
A logic model is a systematic and visual way to present and share your understanding of the
relationships among the resources you have to operate your program, the activities you plan, and the
changes or results you hope to achieve.
Purposes of a Logic Model
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Program Planning. A logic model can help you think through your program strategy—to help
clarify where you are and where you want to be.
Program Management. Because it “connects the dots” between resources, activities, and
outcomes, a logic model can be the basis for developing a more detailed management plan.
Communication. A well-built logic model can show stakeholders, at a glance, what a program
is doing (activities) and what it is achieving (outcomes), emphasizing the link between the
two.
Consensus-Building. Developing a logic model builds common understanding and promotes
buy-in among both internal and external stakeholders about what a program is, how it works,
and what it is trying to achieve.
Fundraising. A logic model demonstrates to funders that you have purposefully identified
what your program will do, what it hopes to achieve, and what resources you will need to
accomplish your goals. It can also help structure and streamline grant writing.
Basic Things to Know about Logic Models
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A program’s logic model is not static. You can, and should, change the model over time as the
program unfolds.
Many different logic model formats exist, but they are all based on the same core concepts.
When “read” from left to right, logic models describe program basics over time from planning
through results. Reading a logic model means following the chain of reasoning or
“If...then...” statements which connect the program’s parts.
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If resources are available to the program, then program activities can be
implemented; if program activities are implemented successfully, then certain
outputs and outcomes can be expected.
Steps to Creating a Logic Model
1. Create a problem statement. A problem statement should answer the question, “What
community problem does my program solve?”
o Example: A large number of County X citizens are harmed by the negative
health effects of tobacco.
2. Set a goal. The goal is the intended aim or impact over the life of a program. The program
goal should be the solution to your problem statement.
o Example: Decrease the burden of tobacco on County X.
3. List your resources. These resources are those that you currently have available to support
your program. This can include human resources, financial resources, facility space,
technology, other equipment, program/training materials, etc.
o Example: 3 full-time staff members, 1 computer, x amount of money in
operating budget.
4. List your planned activities. Activities are the actions that are needed to implement your
program—what you will do with program resources in order to achieve program outcomes and,
ultimately, your goal(s).
o Example: Research best practices, select trainer, develop curriculum.
5. List your expected outputs. Outputs are the measurable, tangible, and direct products or
results of program activities. When possible, express outputs in terms of the size and/or
scope of services and products delivered or produced by the program.
o Example: Number of classes taught or meetings held, number of billboards
established, number of people exposed to messages on billboards.
6. List intended outcomes (objectives). Outcomes are the changes expected to result from a
program—changes among clients, communities, systems, or organizations. Outcomes can
reflect changes in learning, changes in action, or changes in condition. Outcomes should be
phrased in terms of change and be measurable.
 Changes in learning:
o New knowledge
o Increased skills
o Changed attitudes, opinions, or values
 Example: Teens in community increase knowledge of dangers of tobacco.
 Changes in action:
o Modified behavior or practice
o Changed decisions
o Changed policies
 Example: Increase in number of calls to Quitline.
 Changes in condition:
o Human, economic, civic, environment
 Example: Increase in number of smoke-free environments (bars,
restaurants, parks, workplaces, etc)
Note: It can be helpful to develop intended outcomes with a time frame in mind, with separate
short-term outcomes, intermediate outcomes, and long-term outcomes. Often, but not always,
short-term outcomes are changes in learning, intermediate outcomes are changes in action, and
long-term outcomes are changes in condition.
Logic Model Example 1
Source: Logic Model Workbook. Innovation Network, Inc.
Outcome Chain Example
Short-Term
Outcome
Change in
learning:
The increase in
knowledge gained
through messages
in billboards.
Intermediate Outcome
Long-Term Outcome
Change in behavior:
Change in condition:
Increase in number of
citizens advocating for
smoke-free
environments, and
increased number of
places adopting smokefree policies
Increase in number of
smoke-free
environments that exist
in a community and
decrease in number of
citizens exposed to
secondhand smoke