Logic models: a tool for telling your programs performance story

Abstract Program managers across private and public sectors are being asked to describe and evaluate their programs in new ways. People want managers to present a logical argument for how and why the program is addressing a specific customer need and how measurement and evaluation will assess and improve program effectiveness. Managers do not have clear and logically consistent methods to help them with this task. This paper describes a Logic Model process, a tool used by program evaluators, in enough detail that managers can use it to develop and tell the performance story for their program. The Logic Model describes the logical linkages among program resources, activities, outputs, customers reached, and short, intermediate and longer term outcomes. Once this model of expected performance is produced, critical measurement areas can be identified. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.