An lfa is a management tool for effective planning and implementation of developmental projects. A toolkit for the western indian ocean sheet c4 c4 good planning is a key element of successful mpa management. According to the world bank 2000, the logical framework has the power to communicate the essential elements of a complex project clearly and. More specifically at the end of this training programme participants will be able to apply the logical framework approach to develop a robust logframe matrix. Aug 17, 2015 for further resources on project planning and the logical framework approach, see greta jensens blog who offers inhouse training and mentoring, advice from dfid, tools4dev, and the blog. The logical framework is often used as a basis for monitoring and evaluation. The framework needs these steps in order to properly work. The method may also be used for analysis, assessment, followup and evaluation of projects. The logical framework approach lfa is still one of the most widely used results based management rbm methodologies among international organizations for strategy, program and project cycle management.
Activities, outputs, purpose and goal from bottom to top on the left. The adoption of the logical framework in international development projects. Critical study of the logical framework approach in the basque country this document describes how the logical framework is used by public entities in the basque region of spain and its evolution and relationship with with other approaches and tools. May 15, 2015 introduction to the logical framework approach 1. It was developed in the united states for usaid and has been adopted and adapted for use by other major donors including dfid and the ec. Sida, like many other donor agencies, has decided to use, and to encour. There are two ways to use the logical framework approach in project monitoring and evaluation work. Despite this history of criticism of the methodology behind the logical framework approach and the use of the logframe as a projectplanning tool of international development agencies, it continues to be a mainstay of the industry. Different donors use slightly different terminology, but the logical frameworks are all the same in principle. Overview of the logical framework approach log frame matrix, a documented product of the lfa is prepared before a project proposal and makes its integral part. The use and abuse of the logical framework approach. Include the people who will benefit from the project in the process of drawing up the logical framework. It requires a team process with good leadership and facilitation skills to be most effective. Include the people who will benefit from the project in.
Activities, outputs, purpose and goal from bottom to top on the left hand side see ec web site under external links. The rows represent types of events that take place as a project is implemented. Various scholars have contributed to the debate on the strengths and weaknesses of the logic framework, which has brought to the fore the interrogation of its usefulness both in theory and practice. What the method is used for depends on the role of its users and their needs.
Section 2 outlines this historyincluding in usaid and gtz, leaders of. The history of lfa lfa has since been adopted, and adapted as a planning and management tool by a large number of agencies involved in providing. The logical framework approach lfa is an analytical process and set of tools used to support project planning and management. However, a few pitfalls make it hard to use within todays project management. The logical framework approach takes the form of a fourbyfour project table, often referred to as a logframe. Critical study of the logical framework approach in the basque country. Remarkable rise, persisting fundamental doubts the logical framework has become an enormously widely employed tool in project planning and management, especially but not only in development aid work. Critical study of the logical framework approach in the. A new online training course on logical framework approach is a valuable first step towards greater use of online learning tools, according to pcm trainer saskia van crugten. Although the logical framework has become universally known, it is far from universally liked. A logical framework approach lfa1 is a project design methodology that provides a. Lfa, the logical framework approach, is an instrument for objectiveoriented planning of projects. As the limitations and weaknesses of these approaches became apparent during their use in numerous projects, new and improved methods were developped. Pdf the puzzle of the universal utilization of the logical.
The logical framework is used in a number of different approaches that were developped over time. The use and abuse of the logical framework approach efaber. The logical framework approach lfa is an analytical process and set of tools used to support objectivesoriented project planning and management. The note examines three inherent weaknesses of the logical framework lf approach. Logical framework approach logframe was developed for usaid by a consultancy in the late 1960s, and its use became a requirement for the projects usaid funded from 1970. Its origins lie in a planning approach for the us military, which was then adapted for the us space agency.
It has a long history of use in development projects in the third. The logical framework is a tool to help strengthen project design, implementation and evaluation. This article proposes an updated version of the lfa to improve its compatibility with todays corporate culture, project management. Planning with the logical framework approach is done in five stages. The logical framework approach july 2010 how to guide page 7 some basic principles make your logical framework concise, freestanding, and easily understandable by anyone seeing it for the first time. Widespread use of the logical framework format makes it easier to undertake both sector studies and comparative studies in general. A log frame also known as a project framework is a tool for planning and managing development projects. Establish a logical hierarchy of means by which objectives will be reached. Mar 21, 2020 the logical framework approach is a project management tool most often used in an international setting.
Overview of the logical framework approach what is it. Jul 01, 2011 despite this history of criticism of the methodology behind the logical framework approach and the use of the logframe as a projectplanning tool of international development agencies, it continues to be a mainstay of the industry. Here it is used as an analysis tool to estimate actually calculate the contributions and interrelationships of different components to an higher objective and is still used to determine the strategy choices options in planning. Logical framework, or logframe, describes both a general approach to project or programme planning, monitoring and evaluation, and in the form of a logframe matrix a discrete planning and monitoring tool for projects and programmes. Using the logical framework approach for project design. The logical framework approach to international development.
Logical framework approach managing marine protected areas. It provides clear, concise and systematic information about a project through a framework. Pdf what are the advantages and disadvantages of using. I have just modified 5 external links on logical framework approach.
Mar 09, 2015 understanding the logical framework approach. Welcome to the logframe certification exam the results matrices can take many forms. It was said, a logical framework, because all the planning is made logically, to have a framework, from one stage to another, and the most interesting of these is to use the logframe indicators are clear, specific and measurable. The logical framework approach lfa has proved to be a valuable tool for project approval, design, and evaluation.
The use and abuse of the logical framework approach 3 adaptations are discussed in section 5. It looks like a table or framework and aims to present information about the key components of a project in a clear, concise, logical and systematic way. This sheet gives specific guidance on preparing a logical framework matrix, or logframe, as this planning tool is. The use and abuse of the logical framework approach 2 within organisations in the time available we would have to draw heavily on existing contacts. The objectives, the expected outcomes, and output with specific targets are presented in a logical framework. The point logframe program planning is an approach that is logically organized using a clear indicator. Analysis stage preparatory analysis stakeholder analysis problem analysis. Pdf using a logical framework approach to evaluate and guide. It also identifies the measures by which the projects anticipated results will be monitored. The logical framework approach lfa is a long established activity design. Feb 04, 20 it was said, a logical framework, because all the planning is made logically, to have a framework, from one stage to another, and the most interesting of these is to use the logframe indicators are clear, specific and measurable. This document describes how the logical framework is used by public entities in the basque region of spain and its evolution and relationship with with other approaches and tools.
It provides a set of interlocking concepts which are used as part of an iterative process to aid structured. Lfa definitioncont analyse the existing situation during project preparation. The logical framework was originally created as a planning tool for military purposes, and was then further developed by nasa to plan space programmes. Pdf a logical framework logframe is a matrix that summarize the key. The logical framework approach is an analytical, presentational, and management tool which can help planners and managers to. Now most large international donor agencies use some type of logical or results framework to guide project design. The logical framework has both strengths and weaknesses as a tool used in development planning, monitoring and evaluation. This sheet gives specific guidance on preparing a logical framework matrix, or logframe, as this planning tool is frequently required by. Logical framework approach meaning logical framework approach definition logical framework approach explanation. It is a group of ifthen statements, along with assumptions that must be true for the statements to be valid. We therefore decided to try and cast the net a bit wider by preparing a simple structured questionnaire which we disseminated widely from intrac and made available on the intrac website see annex 2. Introduction to monitoring and evaluation using the logical. An online training on the logical framework approach. After being adopted by usaid in the 1970s, the logical framework, or logframe, has since spread to all areas of the development sector.
Originally developed and applied in science nasa and the private sector management. Lfa is a systematic planning procedure for complete project cycle management it is a problem solving approach which takes into account the views of all stakeholders it also agrees on the criteria for project success and lists the major assumptions. Logical framework approach current situation overall objective input activities results project purpose. A logframe is another name for logical framework, a planning tool consisting of a matrix which provides an overview of a projects goal, activities and anticipated results. The basic logframe matrix contains 16 cells organized into 4 columns and 4 rows, as indicated in the next slide. A key tool to project cycle management final version draft this guide is an initiative from the dacu, funded by sidadfid joint programme for support to the mier for improvement of coordination, planning, programming and implementation of development assistance. An introduction to multi agency planning using the logical framework approach introduction project management and planning can be difficult at the best of times, when the project is one that involves a whole range of partners and agencies, it can be made even more so. Nasa before being adopted by usaid for development. Introduction to logframe approach university of wolverhampton. After being adopted by usaid in the 1970s, the logical framework, or logframe, has since. The logical framework matrix is used to present information about project objectives, outputs and activities in a systematic and logical way.
This means that it is best used throughout the project cycle. However, a few pitfalls make it hard to use within todays project management framework and to integrate with other project management tools. Using a logical framework approach to evaluate and guide coinnovation. Lfa, the logical framework approach, is an instrument for objective oriented planning of projects. A logical framework approach lfa 1 is a project design methodology that provides a systematic structure for identifying, planning and managing projects. Remarkable rise, persisting fundamental doubts the logical framework has become an enormously widely employed tool in project planning and management, especially but not only in. First, a bit of history once upon a time, there was a lot of development money being invested into projects. Pdf the adoption of the logical framework in international. It helps to organize thinking, set performance indicators, allocate responsibilities and communicate effectively. What is logical framework analysis lfa and why is it important.
The logical framework approach was developed in the late 1960s to assist the us agency of international development usaid with project planning. We created the exam several years ago as part of the certification process for developing a global. What is logical framework analysis lfa and why is it. The first three stages help to analyse the initial situation and agree on the desirable outcomes of the project. Introduction to monitoring and evaluation using the. The logical framework approach lfa has come to play a central role in the planning and management of development interventions over the last twenty years. It provides a structure to help specify the components of a project and its activities and for relating them to one another. Logical framework approach is often confused with the logical framework matrix. Quick learning of logical framework part 01 duration.
Completed logical frameworks form the basis of a project plan and can be used as a. However, we found that when people speak of the logical framework, they are referring to a matrix with both. The history of process approaches is as old as that of the logframe. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple faq for additional information. Its origins lie in a planning approach for the us military, which was then. The logical framework approach is a project management tool most often used in an international setting. According to the world bank 2000, the logical framework has the power to communicate the essential elements of a complex project clearly and succinctly throughout the project cycle.
The logical framework approach greta jensen dochas. Importance of logical framework in operation program from. To prepare a good logical framework, where different professional. Lfa was first formally adopted as a planning tool for overseas development activities by usaid in the early 1970s. Logical framework an overview sciencedirect topics. If careful analysis of climatic history in the region shows that for eight of the last 20 years, rainfall was less than eight inches for the months of june and july, our. The logical framework approach lfa is a methodology mainly used for designing, monitoring, and evaluating international development projects.
Strengths and weaknesses of the logical framework as a. Organizations may promote a blueprint, rigid or inflexible approach, making the logframe a straitjacket to creativity and innovation. The logical framework matrix is used to present information about project objectives. The logframe is a tool for concisely describing the results of an lfa project design. Hersoug 1996 shows how the logical framework approach lfa tends to over specify objectives. A comment on the limitations of the logical framework.