agence francaise de developpement logical framework and development project cycle 2: the logical...

AGENCE FRANCAISE DE DEVELOPPEMENT

Logical Framework and Development Project Cycle

2: The Logical Framework

JohannesburgOctober 2005

CEFEB Denis Walton

Logical Framework

CEFEB, Johannesburg, October 2005

The Logical Framework General principles and Origins of the LogFrame Expected advantages of the LogFrame Impacts on the project ’s management Methodology and Examples How does it fit in the Project Cycle?

Logical Framework


General PrinciplesThe Logframe is a tool for project design and planning, monitoring and evaluation. It can be used as follows:

> To clearly articulate the project objectives

> To link them to an overall strategy/policy

> To support them by clearly defined activities, linked with resources which will be alllocated to them

> To define the means to verify the achievement of the project ’s objectives: to define indicators and data sources > To list important assumptions, and external risks that may have a critical impact on the project ’s implementation and the achievement of the project ’s objectives

Logical Framework


Origins> The method was originally used by the US Ministry of Defense as a project design tool (1960 ’s)

> It was then « reinvented » in 1969 by a consulting firm for USAID

> It became a widespread tool used by many donors: CIDA, DANIDA, KfW, UNDP, European Union, the World Bank AFD….

> It was in fact adapted by each donor, and continues to be a living tool.

Logical Framework


Expected advantages

A few recurrent problems in development projects:

Project preparation: Identifying strategy relevant project Getting the same view, among stakeholders, about the project ’s design and objectives Preparing the project ’s monitoring and evaluation

Project implementation Losing sight of the project ’s objectives and original design

Project evaluation Having a reference framework for evaluating project ’s success

Logical Framework


Impact on project managementIt ’s an additional tool, and additional concepts to master!

Expliciting and structuring project ’s contents: A better strategic alignment A better, more focused dialog between stakeholders A communication tool A explicit wording about the project ’s objectives and conditions for their achivements: better results?

Structuring effect: Organize monitoring and evaluation: easier results measurement Better comparability between project designs

Logical Framework


Methodology

The concepts of the « Results Chain »

Inputs --> Outputs --> Outcomes --> Impacts

Inputs: Resources used and activities undertaken

Outputs: What is being directly financed, built, with the inputs

Outcomes: The direct consequences of the use/functioning of the outputs --> the short/medium term changes brought about by the project

Impact: The long term consequences of the project

Logical Framework


The concepts of the « Results Chain » : example

Education project:

Inputs: Ressources: Money from government and donors

Teachers, new thesaurus and books from the Ministry of education

Activities: School buildingPopulation sensitizationIncentives to put children to school

Outputs: Classrooms, advocacy for school enrollment, enrollment subsidies...

Outcomes: More children are enrolled in schools with teachersand books, more children complete primary education

Impact: Literacy rates increase, average wages increase

Logical Framework


Matrix

Sources ofverification

Assumptions

DevelopmentObjective

ImmediateObjective

Outputs

Activities Means Costs

-

Project strategy

The logframe

ObjectivelyVerifiableindicators

Pre-conditions

Logical Framework


MethodologyThe formal output: a Matrix

Project Strategy

IndicatorsSources ofverification

Criticalassumptions

Outputs

Activities

Pre-conditions

Cost Means

Development Objective

Immediate objective

Outputs

Activities

Logical Framework


Example: Rural education project

Project Strategy

IndicatorsData

sourcesCritical

assumptions

Fight povertyin rural areas

Average wageAcces to

secondary school

Ministry of education,

Finance

Increase access to primary education

Enrollment& completion

rates

Ministry of education

Rural school system

strengthened

School capacityTeachers

absenteism

Project ’s monitoring

reports

Sufficient crop yields

Classroombuilding

Teacher training

# of classrooms and teachers

X M$


reports

ReformsTeachers get paid

Developmentobjective

ImmediateObjective

Outputs

ActivitiesResources

Logical Framework


Example: Regional Environmental Information Management Program

Project ’s objectives

IndicatorsData

sourcesCritical

assumptions

Environment &natural resourcesbetter managed

Environmentstatus

indicators

Ministry of environment

Environment info is used toinform decisions

# of publications# of studies

comm. by Gov


reports

Continued economic

growth

Environment info is shared& managed

Existence of a managed DBLevel uf use


reports

High levelsupport forthe project

Data collectionTraining

Equipment

# of studies# of trainees

X M$


reports

Developmentobjective

ImmediateObjective

Outputs

ActivitiesResources

Logical Framework


Project ’s objectives: the narrative summary

Development Objective: It ’s the ultimate, long term strategic goal of the project. The goal is beyond the sole control of the project. Results chain: impact

Immediate Objective (or Purpose): It’s the actuel reason why the project takes place. It is within the control of the project. The responsible agency is in fact responsible for this objective. Results chain: outcome

Outputs: What the project will directly produce, in terms of actual physical products, or in terms of achievement. Outputs stem directly from the activities. Usually, a project is structured in components. Each component usually has one output.

Activities & resources: Activities are usually grouped, according to the project ’s components.

Results chain: outcome

Logical Framework


The problem tree method

How to design the narrative summary

Consequence 1

Cause 1Cause 1

Problem

Consequence 2

Cause 1

Logical Framework



Finding solutions to problems...

Goal 1

Output 2Output 1


Goal 2

Output 3

Logical Framework



Example… the problem side

Urban environment deteriorates (and so do living standards in urban areas)

There is no incentives to environmental friendliness

They are neither sensitized nor trained to take

environment into account

Urban industris and urban comunities have environmental unfriendly behaviors

Responsible government authorities are not

coordinated

Logical Framework



Example… the solution side

Urban environment is protected and living standards increase

A anti-pollution fund is created, with the help of the

industry sector

Awareness to environment degradation is increased

Urban industries and urban communities integrate environment protection in their behavior.

A legal framework defines coordination between

responsible government agencies

Logical Framework


The narrative summary

Examples

Narrative Summary

Infrastructure Rural Development Energy/ Environment

Education


Poverty Alleviation Fight against rural

migration

Global biodiversity conservation

Inequality reduction

Immediate Objective

Inccrease average wage

Increase and sustain crop yields

Forest environment conservation

Increase literacy rates for girls

Outputs Increase exchanges

and safety on secondary network

Sustain soil fertility Alternatives to Fire

wood are p ut in place A greater proportion of girls go to school

Activities Feeder roads and trails maintenance

Extension of soil friendly practices

Increase in the supply of rural electricity

Girl classrooms and teachers. Sensitization

Logical Framework


Hints

1. The goal must be aligned with a strategy2. There should be only one development objective3. Different levels should never rephrase one another 4. Development objective should be within the responsibility of the responsible agency, and not that of the implementing agency. Outputs are under the implementing agency ’s responsibility.6. Objectives at different levels are articulated by sentences describing an action (if possible).7. The vertical logic doesn’t skip any important steps

Logical Framework


Critical assumptions

Horizontal logic...

Project ’s objectives

IndicatorsData

sourcesCritical

assumptions

THEN

IF AND

DevelopmentObjective

ImmediateObjective

Outputs

ActivitiesResources

Logical Framework


Critical assumptions: hints

1. They should describe the expected case (positive)

2. They should not be prerequisites for project start-up

3. They should reflect external risk, not within the responsibility of the responsible or implementing agency

Logical Framework


Choosing indicators...

> Delicate step!

> Chosing the right type of indicator: the closest possible to the type of objective to inform about

Narrative summary

Indicator type Term Monitoring and Evaluation ?


Impact (outcome)

Long term Ex-post Evaluation

Immediate Objective

Impact (outcome)

Middle terme

Evaluationat completion and ex-post

Outputs Implementation process

Short and Middle term

Monitoring and mid-term evaluation

Activities Implementation process

Short term Monitoring and mid-term evaluation

Logical Framework



> The qualities of a « good » indicator• Can be objectively measured (or is available!)• Can be compared in time (basis) • Is specific and robust• Is timely

--> PROXY indicators

> What do you need to know about an indicator?• Its definition ;• Its value and its unit; The possible meanings of its changes ; Which decisions it informs ; Its method and frequency of measurement, the systemic error it entails ; Its cost of measurement (in case it is paid by the project)

Logical Framework



> Other criteria... • « SMART »: Specific, Measurable, Accurate, Reliable, Timely • « QQT indicators »: Quantity, Quality Time • « RACER » : Relevant, Accurate, Credible, Easy, Robust

> The power of figures• « what you measure is what you get » ;• an illusion of certainty; but a good decision making tool

Logical Framework


Choosing indicators… Hints

1. Use only a limited number of indicators. Too much data kills the information.

2. Try to always incorporate a notion of time and quality in the outcome and impact indicators and their target. (e.g. by when?)

3. Implementation/process indicators must be objectively verifiable and measurable

4. Don’t underestimate the importance of the data sources: if you don ’t know them, then you ’re not likely to monitorthe project effectively.

Logical Framework


How does the LogFrame fit in the project cycle?

Strategy alignment: Project identification

Project Design: Component structure of the project

Activities and resources: Project technical and financial plans

Objectives and indicators: Project Monitoring and Evaluation

The LogFrame must be built early on during the project cycle: it canserve as a check list for monitoring and evaluation arrangements.

The LogFrame must be kept alive throughout the project ’s implementation.

Logical Framework


Resources (In English)

LogFrame handbook (the World Bank)

Project Cycle Mangement (European Commission)

AGENCE FRANCAISE DE DEVELOPPEMENT

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agence francaise de developpement logical framework and development project cycle 2: the logical...

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