Logic Models
Logic Modelling is a method which sets out how an intervention, or activity is intended to deliver long term change, or outcomes. Logic models can be used when designing activites, projects or services; developing service startegy for a community of services; or developing policy.
There are different forms of logic model. A simple form that maps the relationship between inputs, activities, outputs and outcomes.(inputs = resources required of an activity; outputs = the tangible products of an activity) as a flow diagram. A more developed form will incororate short term, medium and long term outcomes and the relationships between them, and highlight the interventions neccessary to deliver these outcomes. Although often considered a planning tool, Logic Modelling can provide the basis for an evaluation framework for an activity, service or community of services, by articulting assumptions around the 'chain of events' leading to long term outcomes, and identifying appropriate places in a process where these assumptions can be tested. The Logic Model can also highlight where achievement of outcomes can be read as an indicator that change is being progressed, and supply direction about the kind of data or information that should be collected to evidence that progress toward a particular long term outcome is being made.
Logic Modelling is not uncommonly used by the NHS, particularily for the planning and evaluating of health interventions on a larger scale. It can be used by organisations or projects of any scale or size and can be a straightforward or more developed representation of the relationships between activites and their results over time. Logic Modeling, Theory of Change 'backwards planning', SROI impact modeling and Social Accounting Stakeholder Mapping are all very similar approaches to understanding the same thing.
A good resource offering further information on Logic Modeling can be found on the Health Scotland website.