INSTITUTO DE ESTUDIOS POLÍTICOSPARA ÁMERICA LATINA Y ÁFRICA

LOGICAL FRAMEWORK APPROACH

HUMANA

THE LOGICAL FRAMEWORK APPROACH (LFA)

PARTNERSHIP WORKSHOP IN HORSNSJOE

September 14 - 15, 2006

The Logical Framework is a method, a way of structuring the main elements in a project, highlighting logical linkages between intended inputs, planned activities, expected results and objectives.

Functions of the LFA:

* Provides methodology for planning* Provides framework for monitoring* Provides baseline for evaluation

Basic principle:* Concise* Free-standing document* Participation of beneficiaries* Basis for subsequent monitoring and evaluation

The Logical Framework Approach

Logical Framework Approach and the Project Cycle

Situational Analysis

It is the analysis of key issues affecting ecosystems, people, and institutions in a given geographic context at any level.

Elements:

* Stakeholder Analysis* Problem Analysis* Objective Analysis* Selection of Preferred Implementation Strategy

Product: Identification of key issues, problems, and opportunities that can form the basis of relevant programme and/or project iniciatives

Stakeholder Analysis

Identification of project stakeholders, their roles and interests:

* Partners: governmental agencies, local governments, NGOs, grassoots organizations and others.

* Targets: men/women; rich/poor; young/old; small scale/large scale farmers; rural/urban dwellers; landowners/landless; farmers/traders.

Identification of the extent of cooperation or conflict between stakeholders

Problem Analysis

Purpose: To identify the major problems and their main causes and effects.

Output: Design problem tree with the cause and effect logic between problems

Steps:1. Identify the major problems that the project will address 2. Group problems by similarity of concerns3. Develop the problem tree:

* Select a focal problem and relate other problems to the focal problem * If the problem is a cause of the focal problem it is placed below the focal problem * If the problem is an effect of the focal problem goes above

State problems in negative manner

Problem Tree

Effect

Cause

Objectives Analysis

Purpose: To identify the main objectives of the project

Output: Design objective tree based on problem tree, showing “means and end” logic between objectives, where:

* Top of the tree is the end that is desired* Lower levels are the means to achieving the end

Steps:

1. Identify the problems that will be solved by the project2. Transform the problem tree into an objectives tree by restating the problems as objectives.3. Problem statement are converted into positive statements4. Develop the narrative part of the LFA Matrix

Objectives Tree

End

Means

Means

End

Specific objective

Relationship between

Problem Tree and Objectives Tree

Problem tree Objective tree

Focal problem Specific objectivesEffects Overall objectivesCauses Results

Strategies Analysis

Purpose: division of the objectives tree into more consistent smaller subunits that may compose the core for the future. Each sub-unit can represent an alternative strategy.

Criteria for selection of the project strategy:

* Relevance* Effectiveness* Efficiency* Consistency* Sustainability* Assumptions and risks

Project Planning and Logframe Matrix

A Logframe matrix is a table that presents the information about the project in a structured, summarized format. It is used to present information about project objectives, results and activities in a systematic and logical way.

Timeframe: 2 to 5 years

The LFA matrix can help planners to:* Analyse the existing situation during project preparation

* Establish a logical hierarchy of means by which objectives will be reached* Identify the potential risks to achieving the objectives, and to sustainable outcomes* Present a summary of the project in a standard format

LFA Matrix Format and Sequence

Narrative Description

Indicators Means of verifcation

Assumptions

Overall objective

Specific objective

Expected results

Activities Means Costs What

needs to be fulfilled

before activities

can start? What the project

would like to achieve?

How do we know that the

objectives and results are (being) achieved?

How do we collect the data?

What are the factors that could

affect achievement of objectives?

1st 2nd3rd 4th

Pre-conditions

Specific Results Teminology for Different Donors

European Union

World Bank USAID CIDA NORAD / DFID Netherlands

Overall objective

Development objective

Strategic objectve

Impact Goal Development objective

Specific objective

Project development objective

Intermediate results

Outcomes Purpose Immediate objective

Expected results

Outputs Project level intemediate result

Outputs Outputs Outputs

Activities Activities Activities Activities Activities Activities

Narrative Description of objectives, results and activities

Narrative Description Indicators Means of verifcation

Assumptions

Overall objective

Wider problem the project will help to resolve. The ultimate result to which your project is contributing – the impact of the project at a national or sectoral level.

Language convention: use past or present tense

Specific objective

The immediate impact on the project area or target group. i.e. the change or benefit to be achieved by the project. What the project is expected to achieve in terms of sustainable development outcome at the end.

Language convention: use past or present tense

Expected results

The specifically intended outputs of the project activities – used as milestones of what has been accomplished at various stages during the life of the project. The specific outputs and tangible products.

Language convention: use past or present tense

Activities The specific tasks that must be undertaken to achieve the required outputs. Language convention: use the infinitive

What the project would like to

achieve?

Assumptions / Risks

Narrative Description

Indicators Means of verifcation

Assumptions

Overall objective

External factors necessary to sustein objectives in the long run.

Specific objective

External conditions necessary if achieved project purpose is to contribute to reaching project overall objective.

Assumptions concerning the overall objective/specific objective linkage

Expected results

Factors out of project control which, if present, could restrict progress from outputs to achieving project specific objective.

Assumptions concerning the results/specific objective linkage

Activities Factors out of project control which, if present, could restrict progress from activities to achieving results.

Assumptions concerning the activity/results linkage

What are the factors that could affectachievement

of objectives?

Means and Cost of Activities

how to do it? with whom? what resources do we need? at what cost?

MEANS (EU): Human resources (technical and administrative staff, perdiems for missions/travels); Travel (local and international transportation); Equipment and supplies (vehicles, furniture, computer equipment, machines, tools, etc.); Local office (vehicle maintenance, office rent, consumables, office supplies, other services such as tel/fax, electricity/heating, maintenance, etc.); Other technical services such as publications, studies, research, auditing, evaluation, translation, financial services, seminars, etc.COSTS of resources

Narrative Description

Indicators Means of verification

Assumptions

Overall objective

Specific objective

Expected results

Activities MEANS COSTS

Indicators

Narrative Description

Indicators Means of verification

Assumptions

Overall objective

Quantitative ways of measuring or qualitative ways of judging timed achievement of overall objective.

Measures of the extent to which a sustainable contibution to the overall objective has been made.

Specific objective

Quantitative ways of measuring or qualitative ways of judging timed achievement of specific objective.

Measures of the extent to which specific objectives have been achieved and lead to sustainable benefits.

Expected results

Quantitative ways of measuring or qualitative ways of judging timed achievement of results.

Measures of the quantity and quality of outputs and the timing of their delivery.

Activities INPUTS. The resources required to undertake the activities. This is a summary of the project budget.

How do we know that the

objectives and results are (being) achieved?

Means of verification

Narrative Description

Indicators Means of verification Assumptions

Overall objective

Sources of information and methods used to collect and report it. Cost-effective methods to quantify or assess indicators.

Specific objective

Sources of information and methods used to collect and report it. Cost-effective methods to quantify or assess indicators.

Expected results

Sources of information and methods used to collect and report it. Cost-effective methods to quantify or assess indicators.

Activities Financial out-turn report as agreed in gran agreement.

How do we collect the data?

Verification logic

Narrative Description

Indicators Means of verification

Assumptions

Overall objective

Specific objective

Expected results

Activities

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