What is a logic model in program planning?

• A. A visual representation linking inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact to show how a program is intended to work.
• B. A set of step-by-step tasks to complete a project within a fixed timeline.
• C. A budget framework for allocating resources.
• D. A risk assessment method to predict potential failures.

Answer: (A)

A logic model is a clear map that shows how a program is supposed to work by linking the resources you invest to the activities you carry out, the products you produce, the short- and longer-term changes you aim to achieve, and the ultimate impact. It lays out inputs like funding, staff, and equipment; activities such as services or interventions; outputs like the number of sessions delivered or participants served; outcomes that capture immediate and intermediate changes in knowledge, skills, or behaviors; and long-term impact such as improved outcomes for the target population. This visualization makes the theory of change explicit—how each piece leads to the next—and helps plan, implement, and evaluate the program by identifying what to measure at each step and what assumptions underlie the expected results. It’s not just a sequence of tasks, a budget plan, or a risk checklist; those elements are separate tools, whereas the logic model connects them into a coherent picture of how the program is intended to work.