Appendix 6: Sample Logic Model Outcomes and Performance Measures
The following tables list a variety of different examples of activities, outputs, outcomes and performance measures that economic development and agri-food organizations might use. It is not an exhaustive list. Use it for guidance only as the performance measures needed for an organization should be tailored to their unique needs.
Sample 1: advocacy (or representation)
Advocate to governments for increased consideration in policy decisions and for policy changes on behalf of members, the sector and/or the industry. This could include collaborating with a variety of different organizations on research, analysis and other projects that might influence future policy development.
Activities and outputs: What products and services are offered? How are these outputs measured?
Outcomes: What medium-term and/or medium-term to long-term changes are desired as a result of the organization’s efforts? How are these outcomes measured?
Activities | Outputs/output measures | Medium term outcomes | Outcome measures | Medium term to long term outcomes | Outcome measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Monitor regulations and potential effect on the sector Produce brochures and other materials Hold/sponsor networking events with government officials Produce and distribute electronic materials Sponsor members and staff to participate in networking opportunities Invite government officials to speak at events, to network with the organization Sponsor/hold field days with government officials, such as breakfast on the farm Studies commissioned Reviews completed by experts Stakeholder consultations Distribute results to organizations, government, academia and individual businesses
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| Fully informed policy makers on issues or effects Fully informed industry on issues or effects Increased interaction and networking between government and organization members Increased awareness by government of organization’s needs Increased willingness to act Unified voice accurately representing the needs of the sector Improved media coverage - more accurate information increased positive publicity |
| Changes in policies / programs / regulations for which the organization is advocating such as reduced regulatory burden, business risk management cap, farmer safety programs Increased resources allocated to sector priorities such as staff, funding Established communications network between government and organization Increased consideration of organization or industry needs in future policy decisions |
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Sample 2: community economic development services
Provide services to the local business community and related stakeholders.
Activites and outputs: What products and services are offered? How are these outputs measured?
Outcomes: What medium-term and/or medium-term to long-term changes are desired as a result of the organization’s efforts? How are these outcomes measured?
Activities | Outputs/output measures | Medium term outcomes | Outcome measures | Medium term to long term outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Implementation” data about what the program does:
| “Expect to see” changes in learning:
| Want to see” taking action:
| Public value (captured as fundamental changes in condition):
|
What are the main things the program will do/provide? How well are we using resources in relation to outputs/outcomes achieved? | How many and what sort of observable/ tangible results will be achieved? | What will occur as a direct result of the activities & outputs? | What results should follow from the initial outcomes? | What results should follow the intermediate outcomes? |
Sample 3: direct member services
Provide services to members (e.g. insurance, helping with the cost of production, with discounts on capital etc.)
Activities and outputs: What products and services are offered? How are these outputs measured?
Outcomes: What medium-term and/or medium-term to long-term changes are desired as a result of the organization’s efforts? How are these outcomes measured?
Activities | Outputs/output measures | Medium term outcomes | Outcome measures | Medium term to long term outcomes | Outcome measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Insurance on assets Discounts on capital needed for production (e.g. machinery, seed) Other direct services (graphic design, construction, shipping, etc.) |
| Time savings Ability to meet policy and legal requirements Cost savings |
| Increased profitability of members Increase in member ability to comply with regulations Loyalty established with service providers |
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Sample 4: knowledge transfer and translation
Share new and existing information, knowledge and technology through networking events, initiatives and technologies.
Activities and outputs: What products and services are offered? How are these outputs measured?
Outcomes: What medium-term and/or medium-term to long-term changes are desired as a result of the organization’s efforts? How are these outcomes measured?
Activities | Outputs/output measures | Medium term outcomes | Outcome measures | Medium term to long term outcomes | Outcome measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Booth at workshops and networking events with brochures Presentations at workshops and conferences Allocation of funds to support promotional workshops Newsletter articles and social media presence Meetings with key members of the sector and government bodies Online web page resource |
| New technology and knowledge is adopted Increased awareness of how to access new information New routes for knowledge transfer developed Reduced operating costs Increase in funding program applications |
| Knowledge transfer routes are easier, more efficient Increased adoption of tools and training Increase in shared technology throughout sector Increased amount of product available to meet demand Increased profitability of sector through current technology | Percentage decrease in annual cost of knowledge transfer
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Sample 5: marketing
Advocate and negotiate on behalf of organization/commodity groups for fair prices, contracts, processes, etc. with marketing boards and other organizations. Plan production, grade, pack, transport, store, distribute, advertise and sale of agricultural products.
Activities and outputs: What products and services are offered? How are these outputs measured?
Outcomes: What medium-term and/or medium-term to long-term changes are desired as a result of the organization’s efforts? How are these outcomes measured?
Activities | Outputs/output measures | Medium term outcomes | Outcome measures | Medium term to long term outcomes | Outcome measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Meet with agri-food processors, government agency (e.g. OFPMC) and government Marketing tools suited for organization/commodity groups Negotiations led by experienced negotiators New contracts with different processors, government, etc.
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| Increased awareness of organization/sector products Increase in sales of product Fair product prices to cover cost of production Contractual agreements better suited to the needs of represented groups |
| Increased global awareness of represented groups and the sector as a whole Standards are implemented for smoother negotiations Growth of the sector (increased profitability) |
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Sample 6: member education and capacity building
Provide members access to information in order to build capacity for various activities (e.g. marketing, environmental stewardship, regulatory requirements, business risk management, etc.)
Activities and outputs: What products and services are offered? How are these outputs measured?
Outcomes: What medium-term and/or medium-term to long-term changes are desired as a result of the organization’s efforts? How are these outcomes measured?
Activities | Outputs/output measures | Medium term outcomes | Outcome measures | Medium term to long term outcomes | Outcome measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Education and training workshops Sponsorship of conference speakers Sponsorship for education, training, field trips and education days Booths at domestic and international conferences Website and other social media content produced Agriculture and agri-food business tools developed Sponsorship of members to attend education events Agriculture and agri-food training and accredited courses |
| Increased awareness by members of new technologies, knowledge, practices, etc. Increased intentions to adopt new practices and technologies Increased understanding of the merits of capacity building Consumer attitudes change |
| Increased adoption of new practices and technologies Increased production efficiencies Increased adherence to regulations Reduced operating costs (and larger gross margin) Increased capability to comply with regulations and manage risk Increased market access |
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Sample 7: promotion and public education
Promote agri-food products to the public and inform public about sector/member activities, outputs, etc. (Similar to advocacy.)
Activities and outputs: What products and services are offered? How are these outputs measured?
Outcomes: What medium-term and/or medium-term to long-term changes are desired as a result of the organization’s efforts? How are these outcomes measured?
Activities | Outputs/output measures | Medium term outcomes | Outcome measures | Medium term to long term outcomes | Outcome measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Booth at workshops and networking events with brochures Presentations at workshops and conferences Newsletter articles and social media Brochures for the organization Meetings with agri-food processors, government agency (OFPMC) and government Introduction of agri-food education into public school curriculum |
| Increased awareness of organization/sector products Increase in sales of product Fair product prices to cover cost of production Better understanding of sector activities |
| Increased global awareness of represented groups and the sector as a whole Growth of the sector (Increased profitability) Benchmarks set for fair pricing long-term Understanding of the agri-food sector among future generations |
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Sample 8: research
Support/conduct research to support growth and sustainability of sector. Investments in research.
Activities and outputs: What products and services are offered? How are these outputs measured?
Outcomes: What medium-term and/or medium-term to long-term changes are desired as a result of the organization’s efforts? How are these outcomes measured?
Activities | Outputs/output measures | Medium term outcomes | Outcome measures | Medium term to long term outcomes | Outcome measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Funded research projects (by organization) Research workshops and other venues for establishing research networks Partner with research institutions to engage in research Participation in research by organization and members Partnerships (in-kind, cash) to conduct research Funded research grants |
| New knowledge, information and technologies supported by organization New research opportunities are easier to identify Research opportunities are expanded due to grant funding |
| New knowledge, information and technologies to advance sector are developed Increased innovation within the sector New technologies implemented by members Increases in productivity (or whatever the goal is) Enhanced research capacity in the sector Research is conducted at a more efficient pace Enhanced relevance of research, targeted to specific weak areas |
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Logic model development: understanding the benefits, effects and consequences of your work as the first step in developing performance measures
Inputs - what you invest | Activities/processes -what you do | Outputs: deliverables - what you produce or provide | Outputs: participation of the target audience - who you are working with or for | Short-term outcomes | Medium-term outcomes | Long-term outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Who are you producing outputs for or providing services to? Who are the participants in a program or beneficiaries both direct and indirect? You may engage with the following groups:
To measure how many are participating and also what they think about the program or project. | What occurs as a result of the activities and outputs? “Expect to see” changes in learning include the following:
| Results that follow initial outcomes. “Want to see” participants or beneficiaries taking action
| Longer term consequences or results that should follow intermediate outcomes. “Hope to see” effect or benefits for the participants or sector or public value captured as fundamental changes in some of the following conditions:
What you work towards but do not achieve on your own. |
What resources are needed or used to support the program? How are resources being used? What amount of work is coming in? How much time/money are you spending on which activities? | What are the main things the program will do/provide? How well are you using resources in relation to outputs or outcomes achieved? | How much and what kinds of products or services are delivered? How many and what sort of observable/tangible results will be achieved? | Who and how many receiving service or attending workshop or seminars? How many of the targeted audience did you reach? What is the quality of the program or service from their perspective? (e.g. satisfaction, timeliness) | What did they learn? Do they have a better understanding of subject matter? To what extent? How do they demonstrate improved knowledge? What do they intend to do? | What changes have they made? How do you know they are taking action? How much change is taking place? What else happened? | What is the anticipated impact? Is anyone or anything better off? How? What benefits did the participants experience? To what extent did these changes occur? How are others affected? |
In a typical logic mode, outputs are the result of what the organization does, and outcomes describe what happens with the clients or beneficiaries. Performance measures are created to answer questions such as the ones above. Keeping track of information about inputs and activities is useful to understand how and where resources are being used in relation to outputs and outcomes experienced. Long-term outcome questions may require an evaluation to answer.