Logical Framework Analysis (LFA)

in
Project Cycle Management

By : Dr. Mihir Maitra

Consultant
New Delhi
[email protected]
 Projects

• Projects are a set of inter-related activities undertaken

to produce certain planned results within the given
resources and time frame.

• Development Projects undertake a set of Activities

enabling a group of people (beneficiaries) to move
from an undesirable situation to a more desirable
situation (through empowerment, creation of assets,
establishing and sustaining Community Based
Organizations etc.)
 Logical Framework Approach

• Under LFA, a Project is designed and managed in a step

by step logical sequence leading finally to the production
of the stated Results the project team want to produce.

• The project team then identify and undertake essentially

those Activities which will contribute directly to the
production of these Results.

• The project elements are laid down in a tabular format

called project planning matrix (ppm) in such a way that
the entire project intents become clear at a glance.
 Identifying Project elements
You can take a Horse to the water but can not make it drink

• A thirsty Horse is the Problem

• The water and the man are the Inputs
• Taking the Horse to water is the Activity
• Horse given access to water is the Output
• A drinking Horse is the Purpose
• A happy Horse is the Goal
• Assumptions: Water is drinkable, Owner of water allows
horses to drink, No predator is present to scare the horse etc.
 Logic

• If certain Inputs are applied, certain Activities

can be produced
• If certain Activities are completed, certain
Results can be produced
• If the necessary Results are produced, the
Objectives of the project can be achieved
• The above logic works provided certain
Assumptions made at each step are fulfilled
Logical sequence
Logical sequence
Project Planning Matrix (RBM)

Narrative Expected Performance Risks and

Summary Results Indicators Assumptions
Goal Impacts (Parameters to
(Long term (Ultimate measure
objective) effect) result)
Purpose Outcomes (Parameters to (Necessary
(Project (Qualitative measure conditions)
objective) results) result)
Inputs Outputs (Parameters (Necessary
(Man, money, (Tangible to measure conditions)
material) results to be result)
produced by
the project)
 Project Elements

• Goal (long term objective)

• Purpose (project objective)
• Results (Outputs, Outcome, Impact)
• Activities (Actions taken to produce results)
• Inputs (man power, material, money etc.)
• Assumptions (necessary conditions)
• Indicators (factors used to measure results)
 Goal of a Project
• Goal is the long term (ultimate) objective.
• Ambitious enough and is highly desirable
• In line with country’s development policy
• Stated as an end and not as a process
• Region, target groups and timeframe is
mentioned

Note: Achievement of Goal requires contribution

from several other projects. Example: Millennium
Development Goals
 Purpose of a Project
• Immediate objective of the project
• One project - one purpose statement
• Stated as an end and not as a process
• Target groups are defined
• Likely to happen on production of Outputs
• Ambitious but Achievable
• It is the responsibility of the Project Team
to achieve the Purpose of the project by the
end of the project period.
 Results of a Project
• Major results to be achieved through
application of Inputs and Activities.
• Contribute significantly in realizing the
project Purpose.
• Should be precise and verifiable.
• Results are produced at three levels
Outputs, Outcomes and Impacts
 Results are further categorized as
Outputs – Outcomes – Impacts

• Outputs are immediate, visible, concrete and

tangible results produced by direct application of
project inputs and completion of activities.

• Outcomes are medium term results produced by

a combination of project outputs linked to project
purpose.

• Impacts are long term result linked to the project

Goal
 Project Activities

• Activity converts Inputs into outputs

• Activities are stated as action to be taken and
not as the Outputs to be produced

Note: Mention only those activities which are

essential, performed by the project, contribute
to the pro0duction of outputs and are under the
control of the project team.
 Assumptions
These are conditions necessary for success
of the project.
• Stated as positive condition
• Not under the direct control of the project
team
• Can be monitored to some extent.
 Indicators
Indicators are criteria based on which the
Outputs (results) of a project are evaluated.

Good Indicators are those:

• Where the results are specified in terms of target
groups, quality, quantity, time, location etc.
• Which can be applied to measure the changes
at different level of project implementation
• Which are factual and directly attributable to one
or more of the project interventions.
• SMART indicators (Specific, Measurable,
Attributable, Realistic, Time bound)
 Impact
• Increase in crop production
• Sustainable utilization of natural resources
• Increased availability of drinking water in quality,
quantity, distance, seasons, service level etc.
• Reduction in vector borne diseases
• Improvement in environmental sanitation
• Increase in literacy, employment, diversification
of occupations
• Improved off-farm income, acquisition of new
assets etc.
Project for increasing Rabi crops in a cluster of villages

Goal: Impact: Indicators Assumptions

More crop per drop Improved earning of the
farmers
Purpose: Outcomes: 1. Extent of Village
Improved Rabi 1. Farmers growing additional crop remains free
crops through additional Rabi crops grown from political
development of 2. User groups managing 2. Nature of disturbances
local water local disputes disputes solved
sources in XX
Villages
Inputs Outputs: 1. No. of Rainfall and
Project fund 1. Local water sources sources other climatic
Project team developed 2. Extent of conditions
RLEGP linkages 2. Soil &water conservation S&W remain
Subsidies measures applied conservation normal
3. Selected farmers trained 3. No of training
in moisture management 4. No. and
4. Water saving devices nature of water
installed saving devices
5. Local user groups 5. No. of groups
formed to manage
Result chain - Rabi crop yield
Impact: Improved earning of the farmers

Outcomes:
1. Farmers growing additional Rabi crops
2. User groups managing local disputes

Outputs:
1. Local water sources developed
2. Soil &water conservation measures applied
3. Selected farmers trained in moisture management
4. Water saving devices installed
5. Local user groups formed
6. User groups trained
Improvement of drinking water supply in Rajasthan
Narrative Expected Results Performance indicators Assumptions
summary and Risks
Project Goal Impact 1. Reduction in drudgery
Improved Reduction in water related 2. Quantity of time saved
drinking water drudgery and maladies
in Rajasthan
Project Outcomes 1. Unit cost of water User groups will
Purpose 1. Additional fresh water are 2. Quantity of additional have access to
Sustainable being used by the water made available. mange the
drinking water communities. source
supply made 2. Effective water users Risk: Low
available in 12 groups are managing their
villages in respective water sources.
Rajasthan

Project Inputs Project Outputs 1.1 Number and type of Alternative

Project fund, 1.1 Most suitable sources of water sources developed sources are
team, water are identified. 1.2 Number of WUGs available
offices & 1.2 Identified water sources 1.3 No. of water sources Risk: Low
equipments, are developed. transferred to the WUAs.
Survey, 2.1 WUGs are in place to
external manage the sources.
consultants 2.2 WUGs trained to
etc. manage water systems
 Water Supply Project

Impact: Reduction in water related drudgery and maladies

Outcomes
1. Additional fresh water are being used by the
communities
2. Effective water users groups are managing their
respective water sources
Project Outputs
1.1 Most suitable source of water identified
1.2 Most suitable water sources are developed
2.1 WUGs are in place to manage the sources
2.2 WUGs are trained to manage water supply systems
LFA for a multi-cycle training programme
Narrative summary Expected Results Performance Risks and
Indicators Assumptions
Goal Impact
Sustainable Better management of NRM in
management of the project area
NRM in India
Purpose Outcome 1. Quality of planning Practitioners
Intensive field 1.Enhanced analytical by the trained will get
oriented multi-cycle Capacity of NRM practitioners persons. chance to
(3) training 2.Trained practitioners plan
imparted to Applying their skills to 2.Extent of independently
selected field improve NRM participation by
practitioners the practitioners
Inputs Outputs 1.1 Feedback of the The
Funds 1.1 Training strategy and participants practitioner
Resource Persons logistics are in place 1.2 Feedback of would
1.2 Training modules are resource continue to
Training Institute developed work with the
persons/others
Field Evaluation 1.3 Training courses are PIO
2.1 Relevance of the
conducted improvements
2.1 Improvements made for introduced
next cycle of training
2.2 Field performance of the
trainees are reviewed
Multi-cycle training programme for NRM practitioners

Impact : Better management of NRM in the project area

Outcome
1. Enhanced analytical capacity of NRM practitioners
2. Trained practitioners applying their skills to improve NRM

Outputs
1.1 Training strategy and logistics are in place
1.2 Course content and the training modules are developed
1.3 Training courses are conducted

2.1 Improvements made for next cycle of training

2.2 Field performance of trainees are reviewed
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Impact: Better management of NRM in India

Outcome 1 Outcome 2
Enhanced analytical capacity of the Trained practitioners
participants in each cycle of training applying their skills to
improve NRM
Output 1.1 Output 1.2 Output 1.3 Output 2.1 Output 2.2
Training Course Training Improvements Review field
strategy and content courses are made for next performance
logistics are and the conducted. cycle of of trainees
in place training training
modules are
developed.
Activity 111 Activity 121 Activity 131 Activity 211 Activity 221

Activity 112 Activity 132 Activity 222 Activity 222

 Write the Purpose statement and the Result Chain
i.e Outputs, Outcomes and Impact for the following
projects
1. WATSAN project
Purpose: Improved environmental sanitation achieved
in 30 villages of Haryana in 2 years.
2. Project on Primary Education
Purpose: Improved primary education in general and girl
child education in particular in 30 villages of Bihar
3. Community based NRM project
Purpose: Improved livelihood in 30 villages of AP
through development of existing land and water
resources.
Purpose: Improved environmental sanitation achieved in 30
villages in Haryana

Impacts: Better living conditions

Outcomes:
1. Improvement in general village aesthetics/environment
2. Water borne diseases reduced due to improved sanitation
Outputs:
1.1 Awareness on sanitation and health is increased
1.2 Number and design of Toilets approved and finalized by users
1.3 Construction of Toilets completed as per norms
2.1 Sources of safe drinking and adequate domestic water developed
2.2 Waste water disposal system put in place
2.2 Village sanitation committee established in each village
2.3 Village common fund created for maintenance and follow ups
Purpose: Improved primary education in general and
girl child education in 30 villages of Bihar

Impacts: Better primary education in the Block

Outcomes:
1.Improved attendance in the school in general
2.Improved attendance of girl child

Outputs:
1.Awareness programme for the parents are completed
2.Existing gaps in the local schools are identified
3.Major operational gaps in the schools are addressed
4.Selected teachers are trained to act as animators
5.System for annual review and monitoring established
Purpose: Improved livelihood in 30 villages of XX District, AP
through development of existing land and water resources

Impact: Improved community based NRM practices for better livelihood

options in the rainfed areas
Outcomes:
1. Improved management of natural resources by community in 60
villages of Chhindwara district, MP
2. Improvement of livelihoods particularly amongst the poor farmers

Outputs
1.Planned Soil and water conservation measures are in place
2.Selected wastelands brought under afforestation/ vegetation cover
3.Energy saving practices adopted
4.Improved farming practices adopted
5.Village level institutions, capacities and systems developed for spi. groups
6.Alternative income opportunities provided for special groups
7.System for Effective project management and implementation in place