It’s true. I am in love with logic models. They are organized, visual, programatic and outcome-oriented. What’s not to love? However, most people either love them or hate them, or perhaps just misunderstand them. Let’s take a look at logic models and why they should be your best friend
In Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s best selling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Habit 2 is to Begin with the End in Mind. This means “Begin each day, task, or project with a clear vision of your desired direction and destination.” Logic models provide the frame work to do just that in your grant proposal. Before you have even started to write the narrative…. Do you know your project deliverables? What about outcomes, short-term goals and long-term goals? Do you know how many people, clients or participants will be impacted? Take the time to get organized with a logic model before you start writing. It will help shape your entire narrative, including: needs, goals/objectives and even the evaluation.
Not sure how to start a logic model? One of the very best, and free, resources on the web can be found at: W.K. Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Development Guide. W.K. Kellogg provides a step by step guide to using the logic model. There are detailed descriptions for each step of the process, logic model examples to give you real-world templates and blank worksheets so you can drop in your own ideas, concepts and projects. Once finshed this resource will provide you with a complete and organized progression through the logic model from planning to implementation and finally dissemination.
Lastly, and this is my favorite part about logic models, they provide a working “Game Plan” that everyone on the grant team can see, interact with, and modify as needed. When I am working on a large grant project I like to make sure that everyone understands the full scope of the grant, specifically what is expected of the grantee, should the project be funded. Logic models allow everyone to see the “big picture” and give feedback, well before the submission stage. I always remind my clients that logic models are working documents and should be tossed back and forth with ideas and goals until everyone is satisfied with the outcome.
Need more info on Logic Models? Check out my Prezi: Using Logic Models from Project Planing to Evaluation
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