This PowerPoint by Heléne Clark – Director, ActKnowledge and Andrea A. Anderson – Research Associate, Aspen Institute Roundtable on Community Change, first defines, then differentiates between Theories of Change and Logic Models.
This Powerpoint was first presented at the American Evaluation Association in Atlanta, Georgia on November 2004.
Theories of Change link outcomes and activities to explain HOW and WHY the desired change is expected to come about.
Logic models graphically illustrate program components, and creating one helps stakeholders clearly identify outcomes, inputs and activities.
- Terms often used interchangeably
- Confusion by funders and grantees about expectations
- Limited knowledge on how to use
- TOC and LMs can “blend” into each other
Confusion on the definitions and meanings of these two terms can often cause issues such as:
- Everyone talking about TOCs and LMs, but not meaning the same thing
- Grantees being penalized by confusion when funders not sure
- Under-use of their power to improve programs
- Neither term is clearly defined in literature
A sample of the differences between the two terms:
Logic Models usually start with a program and illustrate its components. While Theories of Change may start with a program, but are best when starting with a goal, before deciding what programmatic approaches are needed.
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