Logframe originated from planning used by US military and was later used by USAID in 1960s for development projects, it is a4x4 table with 16 cells. It is a Management tool used to identify strategic elements of a programme or project (objective, expected accomplishments, indicators of achievement, outputs and inputs) and their causal relationships, indicators and the assumptions or risks that may influence success and failure. It facilitates planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of a development intervention in a programme or project. A distinction is usefully made between what is known as the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) and the Logical Framework Matrix.

 

Logical Framework Approach (LFA)

This is a tool – or even an open set of tools – for project design and management.The approach involves problem analysis, stakeholder analysis, developing a hierarchy of objectives and selecting a preferred implementation strategy. The product of this analytical approach is the matrix (the Logframe), which summarises what the project intends to do and how, what the key assumptions are, and how outputs, outcomes and impacts will be monitored and evaluated

 

Logical Framework Matrix

The Logframe Matrixis a participatory Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation tool whose power depends on the degree to which it incorporates the full range of views of intended beneficiaries and others who have a stake in the programme design. It is a tool for summarizing the key features of a programme and is best used to help programme designers and stakeholders;

 

Summary of logical framework

 

	Project Narrative Summary	Objectively Verifiable Indicators (OVI)	Means of Verification (MOV)	Important Assumptions
GOAL: The higher level objective towards which the project is expected to contribute (mention the target groups)	Overall %, No. Increase or Decrease  Aimed	Measures (direct or indirect) to verify to what extent the goals is fulfilled	The sources of data necessary to verify the status  of goal level indicators	Important events, conditions or decisions outside the control of the project which must prevail the goal
OUTCOMES:  The effect which is expected to be achieved as a result of the project		Measures (direct or indirect) to verify to what extent the purpose  is fulfilled	The sources of data necessary to verify the status  of purpose  level indicators	Important events, conditions or decisions outside the control of the project management necessary for achievement of the purpose
OUTPUTS:  The results that the project management should be able to guarantee (mention target groups)		Measures (direct or indirect) to verify to what extent the outputs  are  produced	The sources of data necessary to verify the status  of output level indicators	Important events, conditions or decisions outside the control of the project management necessary for the production of outputs
ACTIVITIES: The activities that have to be undertaken by the project in order to produce outputs		Goods, people and services necessary to undertake the activities	The sources of data necessary to verify the status  of activity level indicators	Important events, conditions or decisions outside the control of the project management necessary for the start of the project

 

Objectively Verifiable Indicators(OVI)

These are measures direct or indirect that will verify to what extent the objectives have been fulfilled.   How you will measure the achievements. OVI Indicators;

• must be valid, reliable, precise, cost-effective and stated independently from other levels.
• should make clear how the target group will benefit from the realization of outputs.
• should be specific in terms of:Quality (what?), Quantity (how much?), Time (when, how long?), Target Group (who?) and Place (where?)

The process of defining indicators forces us to clarify our objectives. A good indicator is:

1. Plausible – measuring what is important in the project
2. Attributable – measuring changes caused by the project
3. Cost-effective – involving data that may be collected and analyzed inexpensively
4. Independent – not inherent to the project
5. Verifiable – to reach agreement

 

Means of Verification(MOV)

These are pieces of information which show the standard set by indicators has been reached. How will you collect information for the indicators? For some objectives and indicators, however, there may be no current information available.It’s important to determine what information will be needed at the onset of project. When determining MOV,it’s important to; make use of existing information; keep information requirements simple and relevant; consider how information will be analysed, what resources will be required to process it, and how it will be presented.

 

Goal – is the overall aim

Outcome or purpose – is what will be achieved who will benefit and by when

Output – is the specific results the project will generate

Activities– are what tasks need to be done in order for the output to be achieved

Risks or Assumptions– are external conditions needed to get results.

A Sample Logframe Matrix Guide

 

Benefits of Logframe approach

1. improves project design,
2. encourages project performance,
3. facilitates project management,
4. Achieves a structured project design process characterized by a logical sequence, interlinking the individual steps in the design process.
5. Bring about the participation of the stakeholders involved in the project design and management

 

Example of a Logframe project matrix: project transition increase of grade 6 pupils to high school

 

	Project  Summary	Objectively Verifiable Indicators (OVI)	Means of Verification (MOV)	Risks/ Assumptions
GOAL	10%increase in no. of grade 6 primary pupils continuing on to high school within two years	Percentage of grade 6	Comparison of primary and high school enrolment records	N/A
OUTCOMES	Improve reading proficiency among pupils in grade 6 by 20% with 2 years	Reading proficiency among pupils in grade 6	Six monthly reading proficiencytestsusing national assessment tool	Improved reading proficiency provides self-confidence required to stay at school
OUTPUTS	1.     500 grade 6 pupils with low reading proficiency complete reading summer camp.   2.    500 parents of children in grade 6 with low reading proficiency help their children read at home	No. of pupils comprising a reading summer camp     No. of parents helping their children to read at home	Summer camps attendance record     Survey of parents conducted at the end of each summer camp	Pupils apply what they have learnt in camps atschool   Children are interested in reading with their parents
ACTIVITIES	1.     Run 5 reading summer camps each with 100 grade 6 pupils who have low reading proficiency   2.     Distribute 500 reading at home kits to parents of children attending summer camps	No. of summer camps run       No. of kits distributed	Summer camps records       Kits distribution record	Parents of children with lows reading proficiency are willing to send them to the camp Parents are interested and able to use the kits at home

Source: 2015