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Issue 31: January 2010
The Logic Behind Logic Models
by Leah Goldstein Moses
First of all, what is a logic model?
- Logic: The principles of reasoning, the relationship of elements to each other and a whole, interrelation or sequence of facts or events
- Model: A person or thing that serves as a pattern , a description to help visualize something that cannot be directly observed, a small object representing another, often larger object
- Logic + model: A description of a program, service or organization that visually represents the reasoning and interrelationship between investments and results.
Courtesy Merriam Webster Dictionary, Kansas Arts Commission
A logic model can help several different groups of people:
Program staff |
- Builds a shared understanding of what the program is all about and how the parts work together
- Focuses attention of management on the most important connections between action and results
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Funders |
- Helps funders understand your program
- Provides assurance that activities and outcomes are well-thought-out
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Program clients or partners |
- Describes what your program is all about and what can be expected from working with you
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And, of course, evaluators! |
- Provides evaluation priorities, ensuring that most important activities and outcomes are examined
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When creating a logic model, there are a few important steps:
- Review what you are already doing. Describe your program and services, who does what, what resources are used, and who you are serving. Invite staff to describe their work. A snow card exercise can be a great way to organize all of the different activities. *This exercise is described here, adapted from John M. Bryson.
- Describe how people, systems or communities are different after you work with them (usually called outcomes). When thinking about the impact of your work, include both the ideal (what you hope happens), the likely (what you’ve observed or think happens) and the mandated (what your funders or licensing agencies expect). Board members, volunteers, and participants could contribute to the discussion.
- Link activities to outcomes, and identify if there are any new activities that are needed to ensure success, or activities that can be abandoned. Use lines, arrows, and color coding to show how activities and outcomes are related.
There are many different formats and styles of logic models. It can be helpful to review other programs’ logic models and see what elements are included. A number of good resources have been published describing and demonstrating logic models:
Examples of work from one of our clients can be found at Performing Arts Workshop. Resource Center for Program Managers. Web site: http://www.performingartsworkshop.org/resourceCentProgramMgrs.htm
*Source: John M. Bryson, Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations, 3rd Edition. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2004, pp. 140 – 142.
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5 Tips to Better Graphs
by Elissa Schloesser, Visual Voice
You have collected a ton of data and information. Now what? It is time to organize and present it in a way that you can use it. Effective use of information design does that by using pictures, symbols, colors and words that visually express relationships in the data. It does not just make information look better, but also helps to clarify meaning, enhance understanding and engage the viewer.
Since graphs are one of the most commonly used information design tools, here are five simple tips for making them more meaningful and easier to understand.
- Consider your audience. This is the most important step in creating any graph. Your audience determines how much and what contextual information is needed to make the information meaningful.
- Simplify your graph. Eliminate unnecessary lines and borders. It distracts from the data. Stay away from 3-dimensional bar and pie charts. They are harder to understand because it is more difficult to judge proportion in three dimensions.
- Make relevant information easy to find. Label information directly on the graph when possible. This will make it easy to determine data point values at a glance.
- Place data in a meaningful order. Make it easy for your audience to quickly compare values and see trends. If there is no logical order for your data placement, it will minimize the benefits of using a visual.
- Choose your colors wisely. Pick colors that will have enough contrast. You want your graphs to be easily read in black and white or seen on a projector screen as the original color copy. It is also important to consider color meaning. For example, red generally represents negative numbers versus green for positive ones.
To see an example of a before and after graph, once these ideas have been applied, click here.
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Famous Connections Contest Results
by Susan Murphy
In the December Improve Groove we decided to have a little fun with our readers by running a contest to guess what famous connections our staff has made out there in the world. This proved challenging! Our contest winner was Scott Hvizdos with two answers right. As for the rest of you, we will not leave you in suspense any longer. Wherever possible we have added photographic proof of these connections. Thanks for playing!
And the Famous Connections Are…
1. Which Improve Group staffer helped organize an event attended by former mayor and spirited talk show host Jerry Springer?
Answer: Liz Radel Freeman
2. While attending the great Minnesota State Fair, which Improve Group staff member got their photo taken with (then) Minnesota Governor, Rudy Perpich?
Answer: Danielle Dryke
3. Which star struck Improve Grouper met Michael J. Fox at a restaurant in Thailand?
Answer: Leah Goldstein Moses
4. Which Improve Group staff member not only met, but was asked to sit on the lap of famous Star Trek cast member James (Scotty) Doohan?
Answer: Susan Murphy
5. Which Improve Group staff member hosted a visit of William F. Buckley, former talk show host and founder of a well-known political magazine?
Answer: Eric Wong
Eric on left in glasses.
6. Through a good friend of a friend’s famous connection, which IG staff member got a backstage pass to meet country singer Trisha Yearwood?
Answer: Samantha Hagel
7. Which Improve Group staff member likely ruined years of diplomatic relations with the newly-returned King of Bulgaria (after Communist rule) by drying off his/her hands on him?
Answer: Rebecca Stewart
No photo of Becky, but here is the Rila Monastery where it all happened:
8. Which IG staffer got to preview film documentarian Rachel Grady’s dress for the 2007 Academy Awards ceremony?
Answer: Deborah Mattila
Deborah did not have a picture handy but she and Leah are related to Academy Award nominated documentary film maker Rachel Grady who was nominated along with Heidi Ewing, for Jesus Camp.
9. Which Improve Group staff member is brave enough to admit they have no famous connections at all?
Answer: David Rothstein
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