FAQs - Evaluation - Formatting

What are basic formatting tips before starting my logic framework?

• The logic framework should contain only those significant project activities that should result in the major project accomplishments as reflected in the overall objectives. 
• Be simple and direct.  Be sure to give enough information to allow readers to understand the overall intent of the project.
• Each cell must be completed; none can be left empty.  If you are having trouble with your framework, read through the Frequently Asked Questions and visit for examples of exemplary logic frameworks completed by other applicants who succeeded in obtaining a project grant award.
• Each activity should be listed in sequential order of when you plan on completing it during the lift of the project.  For instance, if you intend to finish a baseline monitoring report three months into the project before moving to holding meetings with partners about its findings, then list the activity for doing the baseline monitoring first. 
• Every activity should begin with an action verb in the active tense and be as quantifiable as possible.  For instance, as seen in the example below, state, “Hold 5 meetings with partners….” Do not say “five meetings with partners will be held.”
• Each project output (and post-project outcome) should start with a noun followed by a verb.  In grammatical terms, write the phrase as a dependent clause, beginning with the object.  For example, write “development of a regional plan…” instead of “a plan is developed….”
• When we review logic frameworks, we first look at objectives and then look at the sequencing of activities.  We next look horizontally at the project outputs and post-project outcomes for each activity.  It is not until this point that we begin to look at indicators and their associated baseline/predicted values.  When we complete reviewing the entire framework, we “loop back” to the project’ listed objectives to ascertain that they have been addressed in the matrix.
• It is fine to have a logic framework that does not have a one-to-one relationship between each listed activity, output and outcome. It is the theory that matters and should be what guides developing the logic framework.  For instance, it is appropriate to develop a logic framework that has more than one activity resulting in the same output.  In such cases, state each activity in a separate cell and repeat the exact wording for the output and/or outcome.  See Example 1 below for a fictional project. 
  

Example 1:   Logic Framework with Two Activities with Same Project Output

Activity	Project Output
Hold 5 meetings with all partners to decide on specific goals, objectives, and outcomes for a regional conservation plan.	Development of a regional conservation plan agreed upon by partners.
Review all applicable rules, regulations, laws, and any similar agreements already in place for regional conservation planning.	Development of a regional conservation plan agreed upon by partners.

If your activity does result in more than one project output (and/or post-project outcome), place both project outputs (and/or project outcomes) in the same cell. See Example 2 below of one activity corresponding with two project outputs for the fictional project:

Example 2:  Logic Framework with Same Activity with Two Project Outputs

Activity	Project Output
Develop a community economic development plan linked to the stewardship contract.	Increase in local production of value-added wood products.   Identification of markets for restoration products and ecosystem services.