How to Develop a Logic 

Model

1

NORC at the University of Chicago
By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Describe what a logic model is, and how it can be useful to 

your daily program operations

• Identify the key components of a logic model

• Develop a logic model for your program

• Use a logic model for evaluation planning

Learning Objectives

2
• A program’s theory of change and logic model

• Uses of logic models

• Components of a logic model

• How to read a logic model

• How to develop a logic model

• How to apply logic models to evaluation

Overview of the Presentation

3
• The general underlying idea of how you believe your intervention will 

create change

• There are three main elements: 

• For an overview of theory of change and evidence, ASN grantees can 

refer to the modules, “Designing Effective Action for Change”. 

Theory of Change

4

Community 

Problem/Need

Specific 

Intervention

Intended 

Outcome
• Theory of change for a nutrition assistance program:

Example of a Program’s Theory of Change

Problem/Need Intervention Intended 

Outcome

Families suffer from 

poor nutritionrelated health 

problems

Nutrition 

education and 

referral services

Healthier families
• A detailed visual representation of a program and its theory of 

change.

• Communicates how a program works by depicting the 

intended relationships among program components: 

• Inputs or resources

• Activities

• Outputs

• Outcomes

What is a Logic Model?

6

Inputs Activities Outputs Short Medium Long
• Generate a clear and shared understanding of how 

a program works

• Support program planning and improvement

• Serve as foundation for evaluation

Why Develop a Logic Model?
• Inputs or resources

• Activities 

• Outputs 

• Outcomes (short-, medium- and long-term)

Key Components of a Logic Model

Outcomes

Inputs Activities Outputs Short Medium Long
• Inputs or resources include the human, financial, organizational, and 

community resources available for carrying out a program’s activities. 

• Examples:

• Funding

• Program staff 

• AmeriCorps Seniors

• Volunteers

• Training

• Research

Key Components of a Logic Model

Inputs Activities Outputs Short Medium Long
• Activities are the processes, tools, events, and actions that are used to 

bring about a program’s intended changes or results. 

• Examples:

• Workshops on healthy food options

• Food preparation counseling

• Referrals to food programs and resources

Key Components of a Logic 

Model

Inputs Activities Outputs Short Medium Long
• Outputs are the direct products of a program’s activities and may 

include types, levels and targets of services to be delivered by the 

program.

• Examples:

• # individuals attending workshops

• # individuals receiving services

• # individuals receiving referrals

Key Components of a Logic Model

Inputs Activities Outputs Short Medium Long
• Outcomes are the expected changes in the population served that 

result from a program’s activities and fall along a continuum, ranging 

from short to long term results: 

• Short-term: changes in knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes (e.g., ↑ knowledge healthy 

choices)

• Medium-term: changes in behavior or action (e.g., ↑ adoption of healthy food 

practices)

• Long-term: changes in condition or status in life (e.g., ↑ food security)

Key Components of a Logic Model

Inputs Activities Outputs Short Medium Long
Difference Between Outputs and Outcomes

Outputs Outcomes

• Direct products of a program’s 

activities/services

• Often expressed numerically or 

quantified in some way

• Examples:

# attending workshops

# receiving services

# receiving referrals

• Changes resulting from a 

program’s activities/services

• Often expressed in terms of 

change in knowledge, attitude, 

behavior, or condition

• Examples:

↑ knowledge healthy choices

↑ adoption healthy practices

↑ food security
• Read from left to right

• Two “sides” to a logic model - a process side and an 

outcomes side

Two Major Sides to a Logic Model
• Two main approaches are used to create a logic 

model:

• Reverse logic (right to left) – asks “but how” questions

• Forward logic (left to right) – uses “if...then” statements

How to Develop a Logic Model
• What is the desired long-term outcome?

• Increase # of healthy families. But how?

• What is the desired intermediate outcome?

• Increase # of families using healthy food practices. But how?

• What is the desired short-term outcome?

• Individuals gain knowledge of healthy food choices. But how?

• What outputs are needed to achieve the outcomes?

• 200 families complete an educational workshop. But how?

• What activities are needed to achieve the outcomes?

• Conduct four educational workshops per month. But how?

• What inputs are needed to achieve the outcomes?

• Funding, program staff, AmeriCorps Seniors, volunteers, research.

How to Create a Logic Model Using Reverse Logic –

Sample Nutrition Program
How to Create a Logic Model Using Forward Logic –

Sample Nutrition Program

• Forward logic uses “if-then” statements. 

Source: W.K. Kellogg Foundation Evaluation Handbook (2004), Adapted

Resources/ 

Inputs Activities Outputs Short-term Outcomes

Long-term 

outcomes

If you 

accomplish 

your planned 

activities, then

you will 

hopefully deliver 

the amount of 

product and/or 

service that 

you intended

If you 

accomplish your 

planned 

activities to the 

extent you 

intended, then

participants will 

benefit in 

learning, 

knowledge, 

attitude, and 

skills

If changes in 

behavior and 

action are 

achieved, then

changes in 

social, 

economic, 

health, civic 

and/or 

environmental 

conditions or 

status might be 

expected to 

occur

If you have 

access to 

them, then you 

can use them to 

accomplish 

your planned 

activities

Certain 

resources are 

needed to 

operate your 

program

Medium-term 

Outcomes

If these benefits 

are achieved, 

then changes in 

behavior and 

action that result 

from 

participants’ 

new knowledge 

are expected to 

occur
Questions to Consider as You Create a Logic Model

Component Questions to consider

Inputs/ 

Resources

What resources do you need to implement your program?

Activities What activities will be or are being carried out to achieve your 

program’s desired outcomes?

Outputs What are the direct products of your program’s activities?

Outcomes

Short-term What changes in knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes do you 

expect from your program? 

Medium-term What changes in behavior or actions do you expect from your 

program?

Long-term What changes in status or condition do you expect from your 

program?
• Theory of Change. A wildlife conservation program is designed to 

create healthy, productive, and sustainable ecosystems for the 

benefit of wildlife in areas of need.

• What might this program’s logic model look like?

Exercise: Develop a Logic Model for a Wildlife 

Conservation Program

Exercise #1
Example Logic Model for a Wildlife Conservation Program 

PROBLEM INPUTS ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS

Outcomes

Short-Term Medium-Term Long-Term

Community problem or 

need

What we invest What we do Direct products from 

program activities

Changes in knowledge, 

skills, attitudes, opinions

Changes in behavior or 

action that result from 

participants’ new 

knowledge

Meaningful changes, 

often in their condition or 

status in life

The presence of 

invasive species 

and waste (e.g., 

trash from hikers 

or visitors) has 

made it difficult 

for wildlife to 

prosper, thus 

resulting in the 

reduction of 

native species 

(plant and 

wildlife) and 

negatively 

affecting the 

area’s 

ecosystem

Funding 

Staff

200 AmeriCorps 

State and 

National

members

200 nonAmeriCorps 

volunteers

Research

Conduct waste 

removal projects

Conduct habitat 

development

projects

Conduct invasive 

species removal

Develop habitat 

corridors

Plant native plant 

species on 30 

sites

Remove invasive 

plant species on 

30 sites

Remove toxic 

waste on 50 acres 

of wetlands

Develop habitat 

corridors on 10 

sites

Increase in food and 

clean water supply 

for native wildlife

Increase in available 

shelter for native 

wildlife

Increase in habitat 

connectivity

Improve habitat 

space for native 

wildlife

Increase in native 

wildlife population 

sizes

Increase in 

biodiversity

Conservation of 

healthy, productive, 

sustainable 

ecosystems for the 

benefit of wildlife
• In each column of the logic model template, identify the following key 

components for your program:

• Inputs

• Activities

• Outputs 

• Outcomes (short-, medium- and long-term)

Developing a Logic Model

Exercise #2
• Consider asking the following questions:

• Level of detail: Does your model contain an appropriate amount of detail 

for its intended use? Does it include all key program components? 

• Plausible: Does the logic of the model seem correct? Are there any gaps in 

the logic of the program? 

• Realistic: Is it reasonable to assume that the program can achieve the 

expected outcomes?

• Consensus: Do program staff and external stakeholders agree that the 

model accurately depicts the program and its intended results?

Verify Your Logic Model
Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation

Performance Measurement Program Evaluation

• Ongoing monitoring and 

reporting of program

accomplishments and 

progress

• Explains what level of 

performance is achieved by 

the program 

• In-depth research activity 

conducted periodically or on 

an ad-hoc basis

• Answers questions or tests 

hypotheses about program 

processes and/or outcomes

• Used to assess whether or not a 

program works as expected 

and why (e.g., did the program 

cause the observed changes?)
• A logic model can serve as a framework for planning performance 

measurement activities. It can help to:

• Identify components of your program to include in performance measurement

• Identify indicators and the measures of progress/performance that align with 

program components

Logic Models as a Performance Measurement Tool
• A logic model can serve as a framework for your evaluation plan. It 

can help you focus your evaluation by identifying: 

• Questions want/need answered 

• Aspects of program to evaluate 

• Type of evaluation design

• Information to collect 

• Measures and data collection methods 

• Evaluation timeframe

Logic Models as an Evaluation Tool
Determining What to Evaluate
Determining What to Evaluate – Sample Nutrition Program

PROBLEM INPUTS ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS Outcomes

Short-Term Medium-Term Long-Term

Families suffer 

from poor nutritionrelated health 

problems and 

there is limited 

services available 

to better educate 

families and 

individuals on the 

importance of 

integrating healthy 

foods into their 

diets.

Funding 

Staff

200 AmeriCorps 

State and 

National

members

Research

Conduct 

educational 

workshops

Provide nutrition 

and food prep 

counseling

Provide referrals 

to food programs 

and resources

# individuals 

receiving 

education

# individuals 

receiving 

services

# individuals 

receiving 

referrals

Increased 

knowledge of 

healthy food 

choices

Improved attitudes 

about healthy 

eating

Improved skill in 

preparation of 

healthy foods

Increased 

knowledge of food 

programs and 

community food 

resources

Increased adoption 

of healthy food 

practices

Increased access to 

more food options

Families are 

healthier 

Increased 

household food 

security

Process Outcomes 
Determining What to Evaluate – Sample Nutrition Program

Process Outcomes 

PROBLEM INPUTS ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS Outcomes

Short-Term Medium-Term Long-Term

Families suffer 

from poor nutritionrelated health 

problems and 

there is limited 

services available 

to better educate 

families and 

individuals on the 

importance of 

integrating healthy 

foods into their 

diets.

Funding 

Staff

200 AmeriCorps 

State and 

National

members

Research

Conduct 

educational 

workshops

Provide nutrition 

and food prep 

counseling

Provide referrals 

to food programs 

and resources

# individuals 

receiving 

education

# individuals 

receiving 

services

# individuals 

receiving 

referrals

Increased 

knowledge of 

healthy food 

choices

Improved attitudes 

about healthy 

eating

Improved skill in 

preparation of 

healthy foods

Increased 

knowledge of food 

programs and 

community food 

resources

Increased adoption 

of healthy food 

practices

Increased access to 

more food options

Families are 

healthier 

Increased 

household food 

security
Determining What to Evaluate – Sample Nutrition Program

Process Outcomes 

PROBLEM INPUTS ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS Outcomes

Short-Term Medium-Term Long-Term

Families suffer 

from poor nutritionrelated health 

problems and 

there is limited 

services available 

to better educate 

families and 

individuals on the 

importance of 

integrating healthy 

foods into their 

diets.

Funding 

Staff

200 AmeriCorps 

State and 

National

members

Research

Conduct 

educational 

workshops

Provide nutrition 

and food prep 

counseling

Provide referrals 

to food programs 

and resources

# individuals 

receiving 

education

# individuals 

receiving 

services

# individuals 

receiving 

referrals

Increased 

knowledge of 

healthy food 

choices

Improved attitudes 

about healthy 

eating

Improved skill in 

preparation of 

healthy foods

Increased 

knowledge of food 

programs and 

community food 

resources

Increased adoption 

of healthy food 

practices

Increased access to 

more food options

Families are 

healthier 

Increased 

household food 

security
Examples of Outcome Measures and Data Sources

Outcomes

Short-Term Medium-Term Long-Term

Outcomes Increased knowledge of healthy 

food choices

Increased access to more 

food options Families are healthier 

Measure

% ↑ individuals demonstrating 

greater understanding of 

benefits of good nutrition 

% ↑ individuals enrolled 

in food assistance 

programs 

% ↓risk factors for nutrition 

related 

problems and chronic 

diseases

Data Source

Pre/post surveys of beneficiaries 

and a matched comparison 

group of non-beneficiaries

Administrative data records

Pre/post health records of 

beneficiaries and a 

matched comparison 

group of non-beneficiaries
• Developing a logic model is not completed in one session or 

alone. 

• There is no one best logic model or model development process.

• Logic models represent intention.

• A program logic model can change and be refined as the 

program changes and develops. 

• Logic models play a critical role in building the evidence base for 

a program.

Final Thoughts on Logic Models

31
• AmeriCorps Evaluation Resources page (Logic Model Course, and other 

evaluation topics)

• https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/evaluation-resources

• W.K. Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Development Guide

• http://www.wkkf.org/resource-directory/resource/2006/02/wk-kelloggfoundation-logic-model-development-guide

• Innovation Network Logic Model Workbook 

https://innonet.org/media/logic_model_workbook_0.pdf

Resources for Logic Model 

Development
Carrie E. Markovitz, Ph.D.

NORC at the University of Chicago

markovitz-carrie@norc.org

To contact the Office of Research and 

Evaluation: evaluation@cns.gov

Thank you!