CONSTRUCTING A LOGICAL FRAMEWORK

Source: http://www.kar-dht.org/logframe.html

The “Logical Framework” or widely known as goal Oriented Project Planning (GOPP) or Objectives
Oriented Project Planning (OOPP) is management system that helps managers and top officials to
plan and execute programs, projects, and strategic initiatives for the organization.

The Logical Framework Approach (LFA) is an analytical process and set of tools used to support
project planning and management. According to the World Bank (2000), “the Logical Framework
has the power to communicate the essential elements of a complex project clearly and succinctly
throughout the project cycle. It is used to develop the overall design of a project, to improve the
project implementation monitoring and to strengthen periodic project evaluation It provides a
set of interlocking concepts which are used as part of an iterative process to aid structured and
systematic analysis of a project or program idea (EUROPEAN COMMISSION 2004).
The LFA is a common tool used by people involved in project planning and implementation.

Advantages of the Logical Framework

✓ During the initial stages, it can be used to test project ideas and concepts for relevance
and usefulness and to determine whether to continue with the project proposal.
✓ It brings together in one place a statement of all the key components of a project (this is
particularly helpful when there is a change of staff).
✓ It presents a concise, coherent, and systematic way how the project is expected to work.
✓ It separates out the various levels in the hierarchy of objectives, guiding and helping the
staff to ensure that inputs and outputs are not confused with each other or with objectives
and that wider ranging objectives are not overlooked or related at the back.
✓ It clarifies the relationships which underlie judgments about likely efficiency, effectiveness,
and efficacy of projects.
✓ It can serve as the main reference for drawing up detailed work plans, terms of reference,
budgets, etc
✓ It identifies the main factors related to the success of the project.
✓ It provides a basis for monitoring and evaluation by identifying indicators of success
(milestone indicators) and means of quantification (verifying outcomes of the project) or
assessment.
✓ It encourages a multidisciplinary approach to project preparation and supervision.

Basic Principles
 1. The Logical framework of log frame should be concise. It should not normally take up
more than 2 sides of paper.
2. The log frame should be treated as a free-standing document and should be
comprehensible to those coming to it for the first time. Acronym should be avoided.
3. If beneficiaries are included in the project, they should also take part in the design of the
log frame.
4. The log frame should provide a basis for subsequent monitoring and evaluation. It MUST
therefore be kept under regular review and amended whenever the project changes
course.

Difference Between the Logical Framework Approach and the Logical Framework Matrix
The logical framework approach refers to the steps involved in planning and designing the project.
These steps include a stakeholder analysis, cause-effect analysis, objectives analysis, and
alternatives analysis culminating in the design of the project.

The logical framework matrix he matrix, summarizes the final design of the project, usually
comprises 16 frames organized under 4 major headings.

Before starting with the activity design and the construction of the log frame matrix, it is
important to undertake a structured analysis of the existing situation. LFA incorporates four main
analytical elements to help guide this process:

Problem Analysis: involves identifying what the main problems are and establishing the cause-
and-effect relationships which result in, and flow from, these problems (see also problem and
preference ranking, or problem tree analysis as methods for problem identification. The objective
of analysis is to help others make good decisions and judgements. Data --> Information -->
Knowledge/Insight --> Wisdom/Understanding.

Problem Tree Analysis provides a template for mapping causes and effects to
better understand the chain of connected circumstances that led to the current situation.
Using the tree as a metaphor, one can separate the causes (roots) from the effects
(branches) of a central issue (trunk). It provides a structured way for the team to identify
most important concerns, discern causes from symptoms, and potentially frame problem
statements in a new and better way. It provides a means to review the existing
understanding of the causes to a specific problem and how it can be overcome.

Objective Tree Analysis can help one to determine the outputs, outcome, and
impact of a particular project. The concept behind the objective tree is to convert the
problems one has identified in the problem tree into objectives by turning the problem
statements into enabling conditions for the ideal state or condition.

Stakeholder Analysis: having identified the main problems and the cause-and-effect
relationship between them, it is then important to consider who these problems impact on most,
and what the roles and interests of different stakeholders might be in addressing the problems
and reaching solution.

Analysis of Objectives: objective trees should be prepared after the problem tree has been
completed and an initial stakeholder analysis. This will give an image of an improved situation in
the future.

Main Matrix of the Logical Framework

Narrative Summary (column 1)

The narrative summary defines the project structure. Extra care should be taken to distinguish
between Project Activities, Inputs, Outputs and Goal. Below are some examples to clarify the
difference between each:

o First, with a road project, the inputs could be the materials, machinery, and labor required
for the construction; the output s is x kilometers of completed road. The purpose could
be to enable the products of Area A to be exported to area B., and the goal may be to
enhance the prospects for economic growth and development in the remote and
disadvantaged region.
o Second, with the staffing of a Construction Company, the inputs are the personnel/labor
while the outputs are a well-functioning Construction Company and a flow of well-trained
people. The purpose is that x number of people with y skills should be placed in the right
job after training, the goal is to provide the trained workforce required for the next phase
of the development plan.

Verifiable Indicators or VI (Column 2):

The focus of column 2 is on the “value of the project”, not just the type of indicators of
achievement. Any indicators used should be prone to measurement, or qualitative judgement, or
both. An example of a quantitative indicator is the number of kilometers finished each time. An
example of qualitative judgement is the assessment that most workers in the construction site
have understood the requirements of the work and the specific task to be completed according
to the approved program of work.

There is no point in having indicators that cannot be measured at all, or only at disproportionate
cost. Quantification should not however be used just for the sake of it, and in some cases proxy
assessments may be more appropriate,

Means of Verification or MOV (column 3)

Column 3 should set out how, and from what sources of information, each of the indicators in the
previous column will be quantified or assessed. The availability and reliability of data, and the
practicability and cost of gathering or collecting them, must be carefully considered both in
identifying suitable indicators and in determining the most cost-effective and cost-efficient way
of measuring them. If some of the data is likely to be unreliable, the log frame should say so or
show it.

Important Assumptions (column 4)

This column should record the important assumptions on which the success of the project
depends and the risks that have been considered.

In designing the project, it is normal to start with the problem and work down the levels to
thinking about the resources. It might however be that the resources identified are either not
available or are inappropriate, thus requiring modification of the resources or assumptions at
each level accordingly.

Summary Contents of a Logical Framework

Narrative Verifiable Indicators Means of Verification Important

Summary Assumptions
Goal What are the What sources of (Goal to Super goal):
quantitative and information and data What external factors
qualitative ways of exists, or can be are necessary for
judging whether the provided cost- sustaining objectives in
broad objectives are effectively? the long run?
being achieved
(estimated time)
Purpose What are the What sources of (Purpose to Goal)
quantitative and information exist or What conditions
qualitative measures can be provided cost external to the project
or evidence by which effectively? Does are necessary if
achievement and provision for collection achievements of the
distribution of impacts need to be made under project’s purpose is to
and benefits can be inputs-outputs? contribute to reaching
judged (estimated the project goal?
time).
Outputs: What kind and What sources of (Output of Purpose)
Indicate each of quantity of outputs information are What are the factors not
the outputs that and by when will they available? Or within the control of
are to be be produced? documentary evidence the project which if not
produced by the (Quantity, Quality and can we provide? present are liable to
project to Time). restrict progress from
achieve project output to achievements
purpose. of project purpose?
 Activities: Verifiable indicators What source of (Activity to Output):
Indicate each of (VIs) are included information are 1) What external
the activities against all activities. available? factors must be
that must be This is essential for realized to obtain
undertaken to projects reporting and planned or target
accomplish the monitoring against the outputs on
outputs log frame. schedule?
2) What kind of
decisions or actions
outside the control
of the project are
necessary for
inception of the
project?

In summary, the basic logic model parts of the project include the following:
1. Goal: wider problem the project will help to resolve
2. Purpose/Objective: change or benefit to be achieved by the project.
3. Inputs/Activities: resources invested in the program and what the program does.
4. Outputs: these are specifically deliverable results expected from the project to attain the
purpose.

Read: Sample Log Frame:

https://www.unrwa.org/userfiles/file/procurement/tenders/2013/PLDPJSC00113_A6b%20Wate
r%20Project%20Proposal%20FINAL%20version%2024082011.2.pdf