preparing a logical framework for your project

Project planning using the logical framework approach

In the preparation of project proposal the logical framework approach is used as part of more comprehensive method of Project Cycle Management (PCM) which facilitates

project development

What have you achieved?

The default problem has been identified Context of the problem is understandable Project idea that help solving a problem is identified and discussed among all stakeholders The project has clear and realistic goals Target groups of the project are identified and consulted

Logical Framework Matrix - meaning

• Logical framework approach has two phases:• The analysis phase• phase of planning and project management

• Logical framework

A table that contains:– hierarchy of project objectives– key external factors that affect the project– ways that will be monitored and evaluate project

implementation– basis for determining the necessary resources and budget

Product of that process!

Order of logical framework creation

Logical framework matrixNumbers in boxes indicate the order of filling in the logframe, arrows indicate reverse

logical following

Description of the action Objectively verifiable indicators of achievement

Source and means of verification

Assumptions

1 Overall objectivesWhat are the overall broader objectives to which the action will contribute?

8What are the key indicators related to the overall objectives?

9What are the sources of information for these indicators?

2 Specific objectivesWhat specific objjective is the action intended to achieve to contribute to the overall objectives?

10Which indicators clearly show that the objective of the action has been achieved?

11What are the sources of information that exist or can be collected? What are the methods requred to get this information?

7Which factors and conditions outside of Beneficiary’s responsibility are necessary to achieve that objective? (external coditions) Which risks should be taken into consideration?

3Expected resultsThe results are the output envisaged to achieve the specific objective. What are the expected results? Enumerate them

12What are the indicators to measure whether and to what extent the action achieves the expected results?

13What are the sources of information about action progress?

6What external conditions must be met to obtain expected results on schedule?

4ActivitiesWhat are the key activities to be carried on and in what sequence in order to produce the expected results? (group the activities by result)

14MeansWhat are the means required to implement these activities, e.g. personnel, equipment, training, studies, supplies, operational facilities, etc.

15CostsWhat are the action costs?How are they classified? (breakdown in the Budget for the action)

5What pre-conditions are required before the action starts? What conditions outside the Beneficiary’s direct control have to be met for the implementation of the planned activities?

Intervention logic

• The logical Framework must demonstrate reverse logic as follows:

If the funds are provided, it is possible to pay for the needed resources If the needed resources are available, it’s possible to implement the activities If activities are carried out, the planned indicators for results can be achieved If the result indicators are achieved, the planned results can be achieved If the results are achieved, the specific objective indicators can be achieved If the SO indicators are achieved, The SO can be achieved If the SO is achieved, the project will achieve the overall object indicators If the OO indicators are achieved, the OO can be contributed

towardsLook at the

previous slide!

Step 1: The formulation of a logical intervention

Overall objective

Specific objective

Result

Activities Activities

Result


Specific objective

Result


Result


Look at the notes!

First column - from overall objectives to the activities (from top to the bottom)

Completing the first columnDescription of the action Objectively verifiable indicators

of achievementSource and means of verification

Assumptions
















Completing the first columnThe overall objective - shows the long-term importance of the project for the target group and the contribution of a priority program. A well-defined overall objective should be in accordance with the broader goals (watch out at the consistency of the logical framework and an application form).

Specific objectives - must be connected with the overall objective and demonstrate the improved situation of target groups which are reached through the project until its completion.

Results - main products of the project that lead to specific objectives and are based on the requirements of target groups and regions. We should not plan more than two results per specific objective.

Activities - serve to achieve the project results. One or group of activity must lead to one of the identified results. In this phase should include only the most important activities.

Interventionlogic

What are the overall broaderobjectives to which the actionwill contribute? What specific objective is theaction intended to achieve tocontribute to the overall objectives? The results are the outputs envisaged toachieve the specific objective.What are the expected results?(enumerate them)

What are the key activities to be carried out

and in what sequence in order to producethe expected results?(group the activities by result)

An example of the completed overall objective, specific objectives, results and activities - first column of the logframe!

Intervention logic

Overall objectives

Increasing the employability of blind people on the open labor market

Specific objectives

1. Increasing the level of working competence of blind people

2. Sensitization of unemployed blind people and employers

Results

1.1 Increased number of trained unemployed blind persons

2.1 Increased awareness of the needs of blind people to their entry into the open labor market

2.2 Increased number of employers who have recognized the potential of blind people

Activities

1.1.1 Education for blind

1.1.1.1 Organizing training if its necessary 1.1.1.2 Implementation of training2.1.1 Education about rights and opportunities for employment of blind persons in the OTR2.1.1.1 Organizing workshops about the needs2.1.1.2 Implementation of workshops2.2.1 Increase awareness of employers2.2.1.1 Organizing workshops for employers by employment opportunities for blind people

Overall objectives are very broad in its scope. 99% of the time that this objective should refer to the "global" objective, something that most of the time reflects the overall objective of the program.

Specific objectives are "the real objectives of the project", which means that they reflect what the applicant is trying to achieve on the more specific way than overall objective. It should be used between 2 and 3 objectives. If you have more, combine them into related objectives that are broad in its scope.

Here you can see that the results relate to a particular objective (result 1.1. relating to objective 1, the results 2.1 and 2.2 on objective 2)

Here you can see mentioned activities and their sub-activities. Each activity is numbered and refer directly to the result. Activity 1.1.1 refers to the 1.1 result and so on.

Defining the schedule of activities and resources

The schedule of activities needs tobe completed on the following way:

• list the most important actions needed to implement the project

• determine the order in which activities should be undertaken

• EXAMPLE - If the activity is:• Consulting of foster children and

youth

Means:• material and immaterial

resources (inputs) necessary to perform the planned activities and project implementation

Necessary means for implementation of activities are hire an experts (social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists)

Activities and Means/ResourcesDescription of the action Objectively verifiable indicators

of achievementSource and means of verification

Assumptions
















With each activity there is a list of expected means

needed to implement that activities

The total budget goes by a particular category (eg human resources)

which are prepared only after the budget is done

Example of Activities and Means/Resources

Activities Means/Resources Cost Assumptions

1.1.1 Education for blind

consultants, trainers, equipment needed for training, transportation, catering, supplies

There is a methodology for trainingRequired coaches are availableParticular area for training is available at the time and at a price that is expected

1.1.1.1 Organizing training about the needs

Human resources XXTravels XXEquipment XX

1.1.1.2 Implementation of training Services XX

Other XX

2.1.1 Education about rights and opportunities for employment of blind people in the OTR consultants, trainers,

equipment needed for training, transportation, catering, supplies

Total XXX

2.1.1.1 Organizing workshops about the needs

2.1.1.2 implementation of workshops

2.2.1 Increase awareness of employers consultants, trainers,


2.2.1.1 Organizing workshops for employers by employment opportunities for blind people

Objectively verifiable indicators and sources of verification – second and third column of the logframe



Assumptions
















Definition of objectively verifiable indicators and sources of their verification

It’s necessary to identify indicators (Second column) and their sources of verification (Third column) for each level of objectives (from top to bottom)

Objectively verifiable indicators

Measurable indicators of success (numbers, percentages)

Source of verification

Where and how to find the information about objectively verifiable indicators (statistical reports, surveys, reports of various agencies, offices, etc.)


Indicators make intervention logic operative, measurable, and also provide:- Verification of the sustainability of the project purpose and results- Planning of resources (physical, personnel and financial)- Monitoring of the project purpose, results and activities

- Examples: number of employees, number of printed maps and brochures, the length of hiking trails, etc.

• Objectively verifiable indicators should be "SMART“:• Specific - for objective that must be measured• Measurable - either quantitatively or qualitatively• Achievable – with acceptable costs• Relevant in terms of information needed to measure the progress• Time - bounded - so we know when we can expect objective that we want to achieve

Intervention logic Objectively verifiable indicators Sources of verification Assumptions

Overall objective

What are the overall broader objectives to which the action will contribute?

What are the key indicators related to the overall objectives?

Increasing the employability of

blind people on the open labor market

Increased employability of blind people by 5% within one year after completion of the project

Specific objectives

What specific objjective is the action intended to achieve to contribute to the overall objectives?

Which indicators clearly show that the objective of the action has been achieved?

What are the sources of information for these indicators?

Which factors and conditions outside of Beneficiary’s responsibility are necessary to achieve that objective? (external coditions)


1/3 of visitors receives the certificate

Project report


It was done 20 interviews for the employment of unemployed blind people.

Which risks should be taken into consideration?

Results1.1 Increased number of trained unemployed blind persons

30 unemployed blind people have passed the specific training

Project reports, independent surveys

Risks


30 blind people have passed the workshop and are ready for the job

Blind unemployed people will not be interested in this type of training


At least 50 employers who were on the stands

Employers will have no interest to inform and gain knowledge about the potential of blind people

Sources of verification for

these indicators

Indicators reflect a measurable outcome of

the activities which confirm the

achievement of specified results


• The significance of objectively verifiable indicators is that the collected information must be the same if they are collected by different people (not subjective opinions)

• Objectively verifiable indicators are the basis for monitoring and evaluating project

• They are formulated as responses to the question "How do we know whether the plan is actually happening or has happened? How to follow the success?"


Source of verification should be taken into account at the same time when formulate indicators. This will help to test whether the parameters can be measured within the project. The sources of verification must contain:

• How information should be collected (eg, from administrative records, special studies, sample, surveys, observations, etc.) and / or from the available documents (eg progress reports, project accounts, official statistics, etc.)

• Who should collect / provide information (eg, contracted research teams, a team of project management)

• When / how much regularly information should be receive (monthly, quarterly, annually, etc.)

Example of Objectively verifiable indicators and Sources of their verification

• If Objectively verifiable indicator is reduction of departures fostered

children and young people from families with a current 30% to

20-25% (reduction of 5-10%)

• Then Source of verification is data from the archive of the

Centre for Social Welfare

Defining the risks and assumptions - the fourth column of the logframe

FOURTH COLUMN - defined assumptions (from bottom to top for each level of objectives)- Assumptions what could disrupt the implementation of the project or affect its performance, and the fact that we can’t influence on that?

-To fill a column of assumptions is necessary:-define the risks that are contained in each activity-converting the identified risks in the assumptions

- Precondition is the assumption that must be filled in order to started on the activities

Defining the risks and assumptions - the fourth column of the logframe



Assumptions
















Positive or negative external factors affecting the success of the project

which are outside the influence of the project. They must be complied in

order to succeeded the project (eg, political and economic situation in the

country, weather conditions, etc.)

Which external conditions must be

complied before implementation of planned activities?

Conditions outside of the project that will impact timing

Example of defining the risks and assumptions - the fourth column of the logframe

Intervention logic Objectively verifiable indicators Sources of verification Assumptions

Overall objective

What are the overall broader objectives to which the action will contribute?

What are the key indicators related to the overall objectives?

Increasing the employability of

blind people on the open labor market

Increased employability of blind people by 5% within one year after completion of the project

Specific objectives

What specific objjective is the action intended to achieve to contribute to the overall objectives?

Which indicators clearly show that the objective of the action has been achieved?

What are the sources of information for these indicators?

Which factors and conditions outside of Beneficiary’s responsibility are necessary to achieve that objective? (external coditions)


1/3 of visitors receives the certificate

Project report

Unemployed blind people will be interested in this type of training


It was done 20 interviews for the employment of unemployed blind people.

Which risks should be taken into consideration?Employers will have no interest to become informed and gain knowledge about the potential of blind people

Results1.1 Increased number of trained unemployed blind persons

30 unemployed blind people have passed the specific training

Project reports, independent surveys

Risks


30 blind people have passed the workshop and are ready for the job

Blind unemployed people will not be interested in this type of training


At least 50 employers who were on the stands

Employers will have no interest to inform and gain knowledge about the potential of blind people

Activities Means/Resources Cost Assumptions 1.1.1 Education for blind


There is a methodology for trainingRequired coaches are availableParticular area for training is available at the time and at a price that is provided

1.1.1.1 Organizing training about the needs

Human resourcesTravelsEquipment

1.1.1.2 Implementation of training Services

Other

2.1.1 Education about rights and opportunities for employment of blind people in the OTR consultants, trainers,


Total

2.1.1.1 Organizing workshops about the needs

2.1.1.2 implementation of workshops

2.2.1 Increase awareness of employers


2.2.1.1 Organizing workshops for employers by employment opportunities for blind people

preparing a logical framework for your project

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