Development of Logical Framework of Operations – LogFrame for Projects
For every project proposal submitted to BP, an implementing partner has to develop a Results matrix that shows the exact results the implementing partner wants to achieve.
Logical Framework of Operations is developed in a Matrix/Table. This table is the single document describing:
- All the activities;
- Expected results of these activities;
- Objectives these expected results want to achieve;
- The overall goal that achievement of these objectives will contribute to.
LogFrame, a two-page tool used by monitoring and evaluation experts allows them to see the following:
- All the purposes and activities carried out by the project team;
- The change they want to achieve in society by a given time;
- Assumptions that assure the achievement of this change;
- Sources of verification of this change – what kind of steps should a monitoring expert take to see the change achieved.
We call this Results Based Management, and we build on it Results Based Monitoring.
There is a specific method to develop a Logical Framework Matrix. Below is the development of the LogFrame Matrix.
Description
Summary / Indicators / Verifications / AssumptionsOverall Goal
(Impact) / The overall change we want to achieve in the target group/ area / We should somewhat place numbers indicating quality or the quantity of the change mentioned in the overall goal of the project. All indicators should have:
Baseline:
Target: / How the information on the indicator will be collected?
(can include who will collect it and how often). / These are external conditions that support cause and effect relationship between activities-outputs-purpose-goal. Project does not have control over it, but accomplishment of objectives depends on them. Because we can never have 100% certainty that project Outputs will lead to the fulfilment of the Purpose and then to Goal, we make assumptions about the degree of this uncertainty.
Objective
(Outcome) / More specific than goal; these are tasks that by achieving them, and assuming the assumptions hold, the overall goal should be achieved. / As above, connected to the stated outcome. / As above / External conditions not under the direct control of the intervention necessary if the outcome are to contribute to reaching intervention goal.
Expected Results
(Output) / These are the results that we want project activities to deliver? Terms of References, Scope of Work, and Request for Proposals describe these expected results/outputs. These are tangible products, goods and services and other immediate results that lead to the achievement of outcomes. / As above, connected to the stated outputs. / As above / External factors not under the direct control of the intervention which could restrict the outputs leading to the outcome.
Activities
(Inputs) / To deliver the results we expect, implementing partner has to carry out activities. Implementing Partner uses resources – inputs of different kinds to produce the expected results / As above, connected to the stated inputs. / As above / External factors not under the direct control of the intervention which could restrict progress of activities.
Definitions
Overall Goal(Impact) / Higher order objective we are seeking to achieve through the component or the change we want to achieve in the target group/area
Example: increasing rural family income
Objective
(Outcome) / More specific than goal; these are tasks that by achieving them, and assuming the assumptions hold, the overall goal should be achieved. There can be more than one objectives leading to a single overall goal.
Example: increasing farm production
Expected Results
(Output) / These are the results that we want project activities to deliver. Terms of References, Scope of Work, and Request for Proposals describe these expected results/outputs.
Example: Farmers use improved seeds
Activities
(Inputs) / To deliver the results we expect, implementing partner has to carry out activities. implementing partner uses resources – inputs of different kinds in order to produce the expected results.
Example:
1. Trainings for farmers on using better seed production
2. Provision of technology for farmers to use better seeds
3. Organising networking event between farmers and seed suppliers
Steps to develop Logical Framework:
1. Set overall goal:
a. What does the project team want to achieve overall in the target area/group?
b. What kind of impact will the project team achieve?
2. Set one or several objectives that must be achieved to reach the overall goal:
a. Through delivering what outcomes can the overall goal be achieved?
3. Set expected results that the project is responsible to assure in order to reach the objectives
a. These results would be outputs
4. Develop lists of activities that will produce these outputs
5. Verify if the vertical logic works: if – then
a. Determine whether activities lead to the outputs; whether the outputs lead to the fulfilment of the purpose; whether the purpose contribute to goal;
6. Define assumptions
a. If activity is “trainings for farmers on using better seed production,” then assumptions would be:
i. farmers have basic knowledge on plant biology;
ii. farmers are willing to learn about better seed production techniques;
iii. Training facilities and human resources are available at hand etc.
b. Assuming activities are carried out successfully, leading to the output of “farmers using improved seeds” we have to define assumptions that if they hold, the output will lead to the achievement of the objectives – increasing farm production. For example:
i. There is enough rainfall/water supply for the seeds to grow
1. Otherwise, improved seeds will not grow into plants, hence, no increased farm production
ii. Farmers have access to finance
1. Otherwise, they will not be able to invest in new seed development, hence, no increased production
c. Assuming that the purpose is achieved, we now have to define assumptions that will lead to the achievement of goal – increased rural family income. For example:
i. Farmers have access to market
1. Otherwise, increased products will not be sold, hence, no increased income
ii. There is additional demand in the market for farm products
1. Otherwise, prices will fall, hence, no increased income
iii. Etc.
7. Define Indicators
a. We start with Goal > Purpose > Output > Activity. We state them in terms of Quantity, Quality, Time, Place, Cost, etc. For example:
i. Goal level: Farmers family income is increased
1. Add quantity: by 20%
2. Add quality: inflation adjusted
3. Add time: by 05.2017
4. Add place: in 5 communities of Yevlakh
5. Add size: Small farmers owning land less than 5 ha.
6. Final version: Small farmers’ in 5 communities of Yevlakh have their inflation adjusted income increased by 20% by May, 2017.
b. Purpose level: Production of 1st order wheat of small farmer’s in 5 communities of Yevlakh is increased by 40% by 02.2017
c. Output level: 100% of small farmers in 5 communities of Yevlakh improve 80% of their wheat seeds from 2nd order to the 1st order seeds by 09.2016
d. Activity level: 100% of small farmers in 5 communities of Yevlakh are trained on 1st order wheat seed production by 08.2016
8. Define Means of Verification
a. Our indicators must be verifiable at every level. For example:
i. Small farmers in 5 communities of Yevlakh have their inflation adjusted income increased by 20% by May 2017
1. We will conduct baseline study to determine farmers average income in 5 communities of Yevlakh
2. We will conduct another survey in 5 communities to compare changes in income in May, 2017.
So, our final Results Matrix will look like this:
Summary / SMART Indicators / Sources of Verifications / AssumptionsGoal
Impact / increasing rural family income through / Small farmers’ in 5 communities of Yevlakh have their inflation adjusted income increased by 20% by May, 2017. / survey in 5 communities to compare changes in income in May, 2017
Baseline:
Target: / i. Farmers have access to market
ii. There is additional demand in the market for farm products
Purpose/
Objective
Outcome / increasing farm production through / Production of 1st order wheat of small farmer’s in 5 communities of Yevlakh is increased by 40% by 02.2017 / Survey in 5 communities to compare changes in production in 02.2017
Baseline:
Target: / iii. There is enough rainfall/water supply for the seeds to grow
i. Farmers have access to finance
Expected Results/ Outputs / Farmers using improved seeds through / 100% of small farmers in 5 communities of Yevlakh improve 80% of their wheat seeds from 2nd order to the 1st order seeds by 09.2016 / Survey in 5 communities to compare changes in seed use in 09.2017
Baseline: 0
Target: 80% / i. farmers have basic knowledge on plant biology;
ii. farmers are willing to learn about better seed production techniques;
Activity/
Inputs / 1. Trainings for farmers on using better seed production
2. Provision of technology for farmers to use better seeds
3. Organising networking event between farmers and seed suppliers / 100% of small farmers in 5 communities of Yevlakh are trained on 1st order wheat seed production by 08.2016
Etc. / Training documentation/ assessment results
Baseline: 0
Target: Number of farmers / i. Training facilities and human resources are available at hand
ii. Farmers possess know-how to use the technology for better seeds
iii. Farmers are willing to purchase seeds from seed suppliers