M&E FRAMEWORKS:Logical Framework

BY: Ib i tola Omotayo

FOR:PRESTON HEALTHCARE CONSULTING LTD.

DATE: 21 st Ju ly 2017

ObjectivesAt the end of today’s session, we should be able to:

•understand the difference between Monitoring & Evaluation

•understand the major types of Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks and their specific use

•understand the steps in the Logical Framework Approach

•understand the difference between the Theory of Change and Logical Framework

•develop a Log-frame Matrix

Outline•What is Monitoring & Evaluation

•The Major M&E Frameworks

•The Logical Framework Approach

•Link between Logical Framework Approach and Programme Management

•Focus of the Logical Framework

•Uses of the Logical Framework

•Theory of Change versus logframe

•The Log-frame Matrix

What is Monitoring?•The systematic and continuous collection, analysis and use of information for management control and

decision-making.

•The Logical Framework, the implementation schedule, activity schedules, and project budget provide

the basis for programme or project monitoring.

What is Evaluation?•Evaluation is an assessment, as systematic and objective as possible, of an ongoing or completed

project, programme or policy, its design, implementation and Results.

•The aim is to determine the relevance and fulfilment of objectives, developmental efficiency,

effectiveness, impact and sustainability.

•An evaluation should provide information that is credible and useful, enabling the incorporation of

lessons learned into the decision-making process of both recipients and donors.

Monitoring & Evaluation- The difference•Evaluation differs from monitoring in three respects:

Timing:

Focus

Level of Detail

Monitoring & Evaluation Frameworks•A clear framework is essential to guide monitoring and evaluation.

•A framework should explain how the programme is supposed to work by laying out the components

of the initiative and the order or the steps needed to achieve the desired results.

•A framework increases understanding of the programme’s goals and objectives and defines the

relationships between factors key to implementation.

Types of M&E Frameworks•There are three (3) major types of frameworks in M&E.

•Though there is no ideal framework and different frameworks are used for different situations, three

of the most common are:

•Conceptual Framework

•Results Framework

•Logical Frameworks/logic model.

(Frankel and Gage, 2007)

Result Framework•Also called strategic framework.

•A tool which Illustrates the direct relationships

between the intermediate results of activities

all the way to the overall objectives and goals.

•It forms a basis for monitoring and evaluation

activities at the objective level.

Conceptual Framework•Diagrammatic outline that identifies and

illustrates relationships among relevant

organizational, individual and other factors

(cultural, economic socio-political, geographic

etc.) that may influence a programme and the

successful achievement of goals and objectives.

•It does not form a basis for monitoring and

evaluation activities, but can help explain

programme results.

Logical Framework •Logical Framework (log frame) is a tool used in designing, executing and assessing projects via a

systematic and visual approach .

•It outlines the specific inputs needed to carry out the activities/processes to produce specific outputs

which will result in specific outcomes and impacts.

•It seeks to structure the main elements in a project and highlight the rational and consistent linkages

between them.

•A Logical Framework (Log frame) is also known as a Project Framework

The Logical Framework Approach/Model•The Logical Framework Approach (LFA) is a systematic and participatory process for project design

and planning. By following the LFA, project teams are able to document information that will help

inform the project’s monitoring and evaluation.

•It helps uncover what the core problem of an issue is and the best way(s) to solve the problem.

•The LFA uses the Logical Framework as its model for actualizing monitoring and evaluation within the

overall programme management

Steps in Logical Framework Approach (LFA)

1. Stakeholder Analysis

2. Problem Analysis

3. Solution Analysis

4. Strategy Analysis

5. Log-frame Matrix

6. Activity Scheduling-Timeline

7. Resource Scheduling -Budget

The Logical Framework Approach requires the participation of stakeholders and is made up of a number of steps , with each having different tools. There are seven major steps in the LFA.

The Logical Framework

Logical Framework

Stakeholder Analysis

Problem Analysis

Solution Analysis

Strategy Analysis

Logframematrix

Activity Schedule

Resource Schedule

The Logical Framework Approach

The Link Between LFA and Project Management

Identification

Analysis

DesignImplementation

Evaluation

Initial project need/opportunity

• Stakeholder Analysis

• Problem Analysis• Solution Analysis• Strategy Analysis

• Log-frame matrix• Activity Schedule• Resource Schedule

• Draft M&E plan• Project proposal finalized

Proposal is assessed, funding released and received

Monitoring against logframeand M&E plan.

Review and revise logframe

Evaluate against logframe and M&E plan

The focus of the Logical Framework•A log frame summarizes, in a standard format:

1. What the project is going to achieve

2. What activities will be carried out to achieve its outputs and purpose

3. What resources (inputs) are required

4. The potential problems which could affect the success of the project.

5. How the progress and ultimate success of the project will be measured and verified?

Uses of the Logical Framework Programme Planning and Development:

•The logical framework helps think through the programme strategy—to help clarify where the programme is and where the programme should be.

Programme Management:

•It shows the links between resources, activities, and outcomes, therefore serves as a basis for developing a more detailed management plan.

•By the means of data collection and the evaluation plan, the logic model helps to track and monitor operations leading to effective management of results.

•It can serve as the foundation for creating budgets and work plans.

Uses of the Logical Framework Communication.

•A well-built logic model is a powerful communications tool.

•It can show stakeholders at a glance what a programme is doing (activities) and what it is achieving (outcomes), emphasizing the link between the two.

Theory of Change VS Log Frame- The debate •Although academics are still debating the relationship between the two formats, in practice there are some differences in how they are used.

•At the simplest level, a Theory of Change shows the big, messy “real world” picture, with all the possible pathways leading to change, and why you think they lead to change (i.e. evidence or assumption).

A Logical Framework is like zooming in on the specific pathway that your program deals with and creating a neat, orderly structure for it. Thereby making it easier for you and the donor to monitor program implementation.

Theory of Change VS Log Frame

Developing the Logframe Matrix•A logframe matrix is a concise table that outlines the key features that lead to a project achieving its goal.

•A logframe consists of a 4 column by 4 or 5 row matrix table .

•The first column represents the hierarchy of activities to outcomes that needs to occur for the project to succeed.

•The second column represent the indicators that are appropriate measures of whether the activities, outputs or outcomes have been achieved.

•The third column represents the data source, or means to verify the indicator.

•The last column is very important, and outlines the assumptions that need to hold true for that particular activity, output or outcome to occur.

LOGFRAME MATRIX

Reference•https://www.crs.org/sites/default/files/crs-files/institutional-strengthening-10-monitoring-evaluation.pdf

•http://evaluationtoolbox.net.au

•http://www.tools4dev.org

•http://www.endvawnow.org/en/articles/335-monitoring-and-evaluation-frameworks-3-parts.html