What is a logic model and how is it used in program planning?

• A. A visual representation linking inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes to plan and evaluate programs
• B. A data collection method for program audits
• C. A narrative report of stakeholder opinions
• D. A budgeting tool for project management

Answer: (A)

A logic model is a visual map that shows how a program’s resources and activities are expected to produce outputs and lead to the desired outcomes. It usually lays out inputs (things like funding, staff, and materials), the activities the program will carry out, the outputs (the immediate products or services delivered), and the outcomes (the changes or benefits for participants or systems), often with short-, medium-, and long-term goals. In program planning, this map clarifies the sequence of events and the assumptions behind how change is supposed to happen, making the program theory explicit. It serves as a planning tool to align what you plan to do with the objectives you want to achieve, guides what you will measure, and helps communicate the plan to stakeholders. By identifying indicators for each element, you can monitor progress, evaluate whether activities lead to the intended outputs and outcomes, and adjust as needed. The other options describe separate tasks—data collection methods, narrative stakeholder reports, or budgeting tools—rather than providing the integrated framework that links resources, actions, products, and outcomes.