Project Outputs

What is a project output?
A project output is the immediate result of completing an activity; it happens sometime before the project grant ends. Its description should be conceptual; quantification is not necessary.  Two examples of project outputs are:  (1) securing of 1,000 acres under a conservation easement, and (2) increased understanding of planned riparian habitat restoration actions.

What is the relationship between the activity and the project output?
A project output is a change enacted by completing an activity.  It starts with a noun followed by a verb (i.e., grammatically a dependent clause that begins with an object).  

See Example 5 below for an example of a relation between an activity and project output in the fictional project:

Example 5:  Example of Relation between Activity and Project

Activity	Project Output
Hold 5 meetings with all partners to decide on specific goals, objectives, and outcomes of a regional conservation plan.	Development of a regional conservation plan agreed upon by partners.

What is the difference between the project output and the post-project outcome?
Project outputs are defined as what happens during the life of the project and are viewed as short-term results.  Post-project outcomes are what happen after the project ends; they are long-term results.  See more information about post-project outcomes in the next section of the FAQ.

What should be my timeline for project outputs?
Refer to your project end date in the narrative of your application; think of what you expect to be completed at that date.  This is the length of time you should use as a reference.

What should my logic framework look like after I complete my project outputs?
Refer back to earlier points about the activities and project outputs.  The key points are as follows:  (1) you should have at least one project output with each activity (see FORMATING section for more information on what happens if there is not a one-to-one relation between an activity and project output.

Example 6 below provides a full listing of activities and project outputs using the fictional example developed in this document:

Example 6:    Completion of Logic Framework through Project Output Column

Activity	Project Output	Post-Project Outcome	Indicator	Baseline Value	Predicted Project Output Value	Predicted Post-Project Outcome Value
Hold 5meetings with all partners to decide on regional conservation plans.	Development of a regional conservation plan agreed upon by partners
Review all applicable rules, regulations laws, and any similar stewardship contracts.	Development of a regional conservation plan agreed upon by partners
Identify 3 specific restoration projects to be carried out as part of stewardship contract.	Incorporation of restoration projects into plant.
Develop a community economic development plan linked to the regional conservation plan.	Increased local production of value-added wood products.   Identification of markets for restoration products and ecosystem services.