Logic Models: The purpose of a Logic Model or Theory of Change is to map activities to the world we want to see. I would like to point out two recent news stories that highlight the need for logic models.
The first is microfinance in Anda Pradesh. Bad incentives and aggressive profit/financial targets pushed loan officers to poor outcomes. Instead of tying the loan officers actions to specific outcomes in the lives of the poor, they were tied to profit numbers of the orgs that served the poor and there was no clear connection to that orgs financial success and the success of the poor clients. That what a logic model is for.
In the you tube video below (thanks Jessica Margolin) you see the same outcome in policing. Quotas aare established for numbers that have no logical connection to the right outcome.
This video demonstrates a logic model that goes kinda like this...
The Change We Want To See: NYPD appears to be addressing crime.
The Theory: If we make and record a lot of arrests then we will appear to be working hard to address crime.
The Activities: Compensate/Incentivize employees to arrests.
Anyone have suggestions for how this formula might be imnproved?
Comments