Terminology of a Logic Model

Need a bit more guidance on the Logic Model Builder? Check out this article for methodology and vocabulary pointers.

Logic models can seem complicated. Here's a quick reference guide for understanding key terms.  

  • Theory of Change: Rationale for why an activity or intervention creates social impact. Consists of 3 key components:
    • 1) need for the activity 
    • 2) description of the activity, and 
    • 3) why the activity will have the desired impact
  • Stakeholder: People or organizations who contribute and/or benefit from an activity, process, policy, program or initiative. Stakeholders can include, but are not limited to, program staff, end-users, decision makers, funders and partners.
  • Input: Financial and non-financial resources used to implement policies, programs and initiatives to produce activities and accomplish outcomes (i.e., cash funds, personnel, equipment, supplies, etc.) There are three categories of inputs: Money, time, and in-kind contributions. 
  • Activity: An operation, intervention, action or work process performed that uses inputs. Inputs make the activities possible, while outputs are evidence the activity occurred.
  • Output: Measurable evidence, expressed in the form of volume, quantity or amount, that the activities of an organization, policy, program or initiative occurred (i.e. evidence that an activity has taken place).
  • Outcome: Description of a change that results from an activity, process, policy, program or initiative. Outcomes, unlike inputs and outputs, are not expressed in a way that can be measured.
  • Outcome Indicator: A specific, observable and measurable characteristic that changes, or progress toward achieving a specific outcome.
  • Financial Proxy: The translation of social value into financial terms in order to establish the monetary value of change that occurred