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Last
updated:
07 Jul 2004
Constructing a
Logical Framework
Advantages
of the Logical Framework
Basic
principles
Main matrix
of a Logical Framework
Summary contents
of a Logical Framework
Other
resources
Advantages
of the Logical Framework
The Logical Framework has
the following advantages:
-
It brings together in one place
a statement of all the key components of a project (this is particularly
helpful when there is a change of staff)
-
It presents them in a systematic,
concise and coherent way, thus clarifying and exposing the logic of how
the project is expected to work
-
It separates out the various
levels in the hierarchy of objectives, helping to ensure that inputs and
outputs are not confused with each other or with objectives and that wider
ranging objectives are not overlooked
-
It clarifies the relationships
which underlie judgments about likely efficiency and effectiveness of
projects
-
It identifies the main factors
related to the success of the project
-
It provides a basis for monitoring
and evaluation by identifying indicators of success, and means of quantification
or assessment
-
It encourages a multidisciplinary
approach to project preparation and supervision.
Basic
Principles
-
The Logical Framework should
be concise. It should not normally take up more than two sides of
paper.
-
The Logical Framework should
be treated as a free-standing document and should be comprehensible
to those coming to it for the first time. Acronyms should therefore
be avoided.
-
If beneficiaries are
included in the project, they should also take part in the design of the
Logical Framework.
-
The Logical Framework will provide
a basis for subsequent monitoring and evaluation. It must
therefore be kept under regular review and amended whenever the project
changes course.
Main
Matrix of the Logical Framework
(see Summary
contents for an illustation of a logical framework)
Narrative
Summary (Column 1):
The narrative summary defines
the project structure. Care should be taken to distinguish between Project
Activities, Inputs, Outputs, Purpose and Goal. See the glossary
for a definition of each of these terms. Below are two examples that should
help clarify the difference between each:
-
First, with a road project the
inputs
might be the materials, machinery and labour required for the construction;
the output is x kilometres of finished road; the
purpose could
be to enable the products of area A to be exported to area B; and the goal
may be to enhance the prospects for economic development in the remote
and disadvantaged region C.
-
Second, with the staffing of
a technical institute the inputs are the personnel; the outputs
are a well functioning institute and a flow of well-trained people; the
purpose
is that x number of people with y skills should find suitable employment
after training; the goal is to provide the trained workforce required
for the next phase of the development plan.
Verifiable
Indicators (Column 2):
The emphasis is on the value,
not just the type, of indicators of achievement. Any indicators used
should be susceptible to measurement, or qualitative judgement, or both.
An example of a quantitative indicator is the volume of output of the new
crop; an example of a qualitative judgement is the assessment that the
majority of farmers have understood audio-visual materials. There is no
point in having indicators that cannot be measured at all, or only at disproportionate
cost. Quantification should not however be used just for the sake of it,
and in some cases proxy assessments may be more appropriate.
Means of
Verification (Column 3):
This column should set out
how, and from what sources of information, each of the indicators in the
previous column will be quantified or assessed. The availability
and reliability of data, and the practicability and cost of collecting
them, must be carefully considered both in identifying suitable indicators
and in determining the most cost-effective way of measuring them. If some
of the data are likely to be unreliable the Logical Framework should say
so.
Important
Assumptions (Column 4):
This column should record
the important assumptions on which the success of the project depends,
and the risks that have been considered.
In designing the project
it is normal to start with the problem and work down the levels to thinking
about the resources. It might however be that the resources identified
are either not available or are inappropriate, thus requiring modification
of the resources or assumptions at each level accordingly.
Summary
Contents of a logical framework
| Narrative Summary |
Verifiable Indicators |
Means of Verification |
Important Assumptions |
| Goal: |
What are the quantitative
ways of measuring, or qualitative ways of judging, whether these broad
objectives are being achieved? (estimated time) |
What sources of information
exists, or can be provided cost-effectively? |
(Goal to Supergoal):
What external factors are
necessary for sustaining objectives in the long run? |
| Purpose: |
What are the quantitative
measures or qualitative evidence by which achievement and distribution
of impacts and benefits can be judged (estimated time) |
What sources of information
exists or can be provided cost-effectively? Does provision for collection
need to be made under inputs-outputs? |
(Purpose to Goal):
What conditions external
to the project are necessary if achievements of the project’s purpose is
to contribute to reaching the project goal? |
Outputs:
Indicate each of the outputs
that are to be produced by the project in order to achieve project purpose |
What kind and quantity of
outputs, and by when will they be produced? (quantity, quality, time) |
What sources of information? |
(Output of Purpose):
What are the factors not
within the control of the project which, if not present, are liable to
restrict progress from outputs to achievements of project purpose? |
Activities:
Indicate each of the activities
that must be undertaken in order to accomplish the outputs. |
We recommend that VI’s are
included against all activities. This is essential for projects reporting
and monitoring against the Logical Framework. |
What are sources of
information? |
(Activity to Output):
1) What external factors
must be realised to obtain planned outputs on schedule?
2) What kind of decisions
or actions outside the control of the project are necessary for inception
of the project? |
Other
resources
Other resources you might
find helpful in developing a logical framework:
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