Logical Framework (Log

Frame) Analysis

Source: BOND guidance notes series

Lecture-8

Contents
 What is Log-frame analysis?
 Why use LFA?
 What does it contain?
 How to use it / how to write it?
What is log frame analysis?
 Tool for planning and managing development projects
 Framework for presenting project information in a concise,
logical and systematic way.
 Developed in USA and now adopted and adapted by various
donors.
 Log frame summarizes in a format
 What the project is going to achieve?
 What activities will be carried out to achieve its outputs and
purpose?
 What resources (inputs) are required?
 What are the potential problems which could affect the success of
the project?
 How the progress and ultimate success of the project will be
measured and verified?

Why use LFA?

 Because most donors prefer it
 Standardized handy summary to inform all
stakeholders, which can be referred to throughout the
lifecycle of the project.
 Since it is also a monitoring and controlling tool, it is
updated continuously through out the project life
cycle.
 Although, development projects can be complex, the
framework provides a convenient, logical summary of
key factors of the project in one or two A4 sheets.
 The framework is well designed and clearly structured.
The objectives can be measured & evaluated
Terminology used in LFA
Term Meaning Example

Narrative Goal, purpose, activities and

summary outputs of the project

Goal The ultimate result the project
is contributing – impact of the
project
Purpose The change that occurs if the
project outputs are achieved –
effect of the project
Adequate potable water for
all in India
Supplies safe potable water
and helps to eradicate water
borne diseases by 2020

Outputs Specific intended results of the So many districts covered by

project activities – milestones _____ date.
of what has been achieved in
the project life cycle

Terminology used in LFA

Term Meaning Example
Activities Tasks required to be Design water purification, storage and
completed to produce supply systems; Implement purification,
desired outputs storage and supply system; Educating
people of safe water and saving practices,
Recruitment of inspectors etc.
Indicators Measurable or objectively Turbidity <5 NTU
verifiable indicators Dissolved solids < 500 mg/l
(quantitative and Taste : Agreeable
qualitative ways of
progress measurement) Number of districts meeting above
standards not less than 10/quarter
There should be a tap in every household
Means of Information or data Reports of district level inspectors
verification required to assess Review reports of 3rd party inspectors
progress
Terminology used in LFA
Term Meaning
Assumptions External factors that can
influence the project
outcome but are beyond
project management control
Super goal Long term results of
continued achievement of
goal of the project
Inputs What materials, equipment,
financial and human
resourced required to carry
out activates of the project?
Example
________ River works are
complete by ________ date
Rainfall shall not be less than
the worst in last 50 years
Improved quality of life
Fund; Project team; Water
system equipment etc.

Who should be involved?

 It’s not a document prepared by somebody at
corporate office to seek funds
 All the stakeholders should be involved in developing
the log-frame
 Many participatory / felicitation techniques should be
adopted
 What are the critical factors for project success?
 What are the most appropriate indicators of progress?
How do you start?
 Start developing a Problem Tree

Example of Logical framework (Department For

Internal Development-DFID model)

Source: DFID’s “Guidelines on Humanitarian Assistance”, May 1997

How to develop a Log-frame
 Stage 1 (top-down objectives)
1. Goal: Objective of the project / wider problem you want
to solve
 To increase literacy among young people in _____ region
2. Purpose: What result will be achieved? Or immediate
effect?
 School attendance and literary skills of 6-14 year olds in
(named region) is increased
3. Outputs: specifically deliverable results
 Classes running in all schools at times when children are not
required to do family duties
 Information sessions held in each village demonstrating
benefits of literacy to families with school age children

How to develop a Log-frame

 Stage 1 (top-down objectives)
4. Activities: Tasks to be done
 Hold publicity campaign in (named region) to recruit
language teachers by (date)'.
 Recruit new teachers
 Hold training sessions for new teachers
 Arrange appropriate accommodation for teachers
 Plan and hold meetings in each village for families with school
age children to demonstrate the benefits of literacy
5. Inputs: Resources
 Budget, Training space, Accommodation, Support for existing
teaching staff,
 Teaching materials, Transport to village, Project Co-ordinator
/ Fieldworker etc.
How to develop a Log-frame
 Stage 2 (Indicators)
6. Indicators
 Quantity;
 Quality and
 Time
 Process Indicators: Which measure the extent to which you have
achieved your stated objectives. Eg. How many children attending
school by (specified) time
 Impact indicators: Which help to monitor the achievement and the
impact of your work. Eg. How many children pass (specified) literacy
test at (specified) time.
 Direct indicators: How many students are attending the school?
 Indirect indicators: Number of books borrowed from library?
 Indicators at purpose level: Eg. School attendance of 6-14 year olds is
increased by 200 per cent within 4 years
 Indicators at Output level: Eg. Five language teachers recruited and
trained by (date); At least two classes running in all schools at times when
children are not required to do family duties by (date).

How to develop a Log-frame

7. Information sources
 What information will you need, how and from where it can be
gathered?
 Will project staff or others need to keep records, or can they get
the information from somewhere else?
 Do not ignore anecdotal evidence
 Eg. Views expressed by project beneficiaries
8. External factors / assumptions
 These may be climatic, political, economic, etc. but should be
real (possible) risks rather than a list of everything that could go
wrong.
 Eg. There are sufficient rains such that children are not required
to work in farms and be in a position to attend schools.
 Eg. Sufficient number teachers with knowledge of local dialect
are recruited.
How to develop a Log-frame
9. Double check: Review the log-frame bottom up to check the logic
 Are the assumptions reasonable or do they indicate a level of risk, which
suggests that the project is unlikely to get off the ground or be
completed?
 Will the inputs and activities clearly lead to the outputs required to
achieve the purpose and contribute to the goal?
 Will the indicators and means of verification effectively measure the
progress of the project?
 Is the project staff committed to the objectives and indicators identified
and see them as realistic and achievable?
 Are there any changes, which could make the project more practical
and workable?
10. Write it up
 When the log frame has been checked (and rechecked) and it is truly
logical, type (or write) it up.
 Get consent of relevant stakeholders
11. Keep updating
 As the project progresses and situations change, return to the log frame
and revise it accordingly