Examples are staff, volunteers, facilities, equipment, curricula, and money. A program uses inputs to support activities. Activities are the services a program provides for its participants. Examples are sheltering homeless families, educating the public about signs of child abuse, delivering meals to home-bound seniors, and providing adult mentors for youth. Program activities result in outputs.
Outputs are direct products of a program s activities, generally measured in units of service.
Examples are the number of meals provided, classes taught, hours of service given, brochures distributed, and participants served. A program s outputs should lead to desired outcomes for the program s participants. Outcomes are benefits or changes for program participants during or after their involvement with a program. Outcomes may relate to knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, behavior, condition, or status. Examples of outcomes include knowing the nutritional needs of an infant, demonstrating improved reading skills, using more effective responses to conflict, obtaining and keeping a job, and having greater financial stability.