What is a Logframe (Logical Framework Analysis)?

Some donors request what is typically known as a logframe, short for Logical Framework. Logframes also goes by many other names, including Logical Framework Analysis, LFA, Logical Framework Matrix or even Project Framework. Whatever it is called, this framework is a summary of the project in table format. The logframe was reportedly developed originally by USAID during the 1970s for organizing logistics and now many large donors require it in their applications.

A logframe is:

• A management tool for effective planning and implementation of projects.
• A framework to build clear, concise and systematic information about a project.
• A table which shows project components and the relationships between these
• A method to clearly display the progress from goals to activities to results.

The logframe has become a complex but useful tool for donors not only in planning their own macro-level strategies. While there is no standard format, a logframe typically includes all the parts of a proposal organized in a way that shows cohesiveness. For example, the table below emphasizes how the Overall Goal is divided into Specific Objectives and Activities. It also makes clear that the results, M&E plan, and costs are in line which each activity.

Uses of Logframe

Logframes are notoriously confusing and difficult to put together. This is because creating a good logframe requires both a holistic and detailed understanding of the project. This level of understanding is rarely complete during the planning and funding stage, when the project design is still in flux. Still, even a draft logframe can be very useful for planning, managing, and fundraising.

• Show your alignment with the donor’s intentions. When you link your goal and objectives to the donor’s strategy and/or call for proposal, it demonstrates your agreement and alignment with the purpose on which the donor wants to spend its money.
• Present and confirm your theory of change. Will your project really work? The Logframe organizes your theory of change and your plans to achieve your objectives.  If there is a flaw in your theory, the Logframe will help you identify it quickly and correct your theory. The levels of a Logframe will force you to be logical.
• Make improved strategic decisions. When the project’s logic is clear, it helps you make strategic decisions, define your activities more clearly, and allocate limited resources more effectively.
• Give you the structure for results-based management. The Logframe will give you all the objectives to achieve and the indicators to measure that achievement. This will keep you focused on your objectives throughout the project implementation!
• Structure your M&E system. The Logframe will include the indicators to be measured and inform your M&E system, to ensure that the measurements are directly providing evidence towards your achievement of results. It will also provide the basis against which an evaluation can measure your impact.
• Support your project reporting. By having an organized structure to your project, it will automatically help you structure your reports to the donor and show progress and achievement.
• Support your communications and visibility. The Logframe will give you a succinct way of describing your project and what it aims to achieve. This can help you create talking points, information materials, etc.
• Make you more attractive to donors. Your Logframe shows your ability to demonstrate your ideas in a clear, logical manner. When you demonstrate that you can organize your logic well and show casual linkages, donors will have increased confidence in your organization.
• Build consensus among your staff. When all staff understands the logic of the project, what it will achieve, and the activities to be implemented, it will provide clarity, direct your staff’s actions, and build a sense of common purpose.
• Make writing your proposal easier. Once you are clear on the structure of the Logframe, it automatically organizes your proposal and gives you a clear vision of your project.  After that, all you need to do is to write out the details!

While good logframe can be very useful in planning a project, it can be very difficult to create. Many donors recognize this fact, and either do not require a logframe in the application or require a logframe but do not score it. However, even in cases where the logframe is not directly needed to win funding, donors may refer back to it throughout project implementation. For example, the donor may look at the logframe during the project mid-evaluation to ensure the project is properly monitored and is achieving its set targets.

A logframe may also be called:

• Logical Framework
• Logical Framework Analysis
• LFA
• Logical Framework Matrix
• Project Framework
• Theory of Change

Process of developing the logframe

Experts know that a logframe is a great tool to start building complex projects. Large projects have many moving parts and logframes keep track of the details while still focusing on how these details fit into the overall goal of the project. Ideally, the logframe should be developed early on in the project’s planning phase and then used as an outline to form the project proposal.

In practice, many organizations find creating a logframe before developing a proposal timeconsuming and difficult. Logframes requires a very clear understanding of the project and its results, which is oftentimes hard to achieve before the process of detailed writing that occurs while making proposals. Thus, many logframes are developed after the proposal is completed and only if the donor requires it. However, it is ideal to develop the logframe first, use it to write the proposal, and then work back and forth between the two for adjustments and improvements.

Since the logframe serves as the base forming the project and the proposal, developing the logframe needs to be a participatory process. The final logframe should represent the ideas and concerns of all the stakeholders involved in the projects. These stakeholders can be communities or the direct beneficiaries of the project, the implementing organization, the partner agencies, the local authorities and in some cases, the donor as well. Without the participation of all stakeholders, the logframe only presents one side of the story.

Tips on Developing Logframes

While most grant applications do not require logframes, they can still be very helpful in planning, managing, and organizing projects. Here are our quick tips to help you build better logframes.

• Start early. Logframes are difficult and time-consuming, so make sure there is plenty of time before the deadline. Make a simple draft early on, then refine as the project plan is solidified.
• Use paper, blackboard, or a whiteboard to make the initial draft. For the final draft, Excel or other spreadsheet software is typically better than a word processor.
• It is acceptable to use sections from an already developed logframe when creating a new one, but it should be completely revised and customized to fit the new project.
• The logframe should show a clear relationship between the various parts of the project. The goal should be aligned to the objectives, the objectives to the activities, the activities to the results and the results to the indicators.
• Keep it short. Logframes are a great snapshot of the project flow, but this only works if the readers can see the whole table at once. Ideally, a logframe can fit on 1-2 pages. Summarize or reorganize any logframes that are longer than this.
• Make sure it is possible to report and deliver on the indicators. Donors will pay close attention to these and expect full reports.
• Ensure that the logframe is in line with other components of the proposal. Always double-check the logframe after completing the full proposal to make sure they are consistent with each other.
• Always check for errors and clarity. Donors know that developing a logframe is challenging, so just having a logframe in an application can look good. However, the opposite is true if the logframe makes no sense and is riddled with mistakes.
• If in doubt, ask the donor for guidance. Remember that most donors who request logframes understand the difficulty in creating logframes and will likely be lenient.
• Do not leave the logframe for last. Create at least a draft before the proposal as a reference.

Logframe Template

We hope we were able to take some of your reservations against logframes away. If you want to learn more and get a roadmap of how to design your logframe, make sure to check out our  online course on this topic! In this course you will learn everything you need to know in four modules and more than 3 hours of video material:

• Hierarchy of Logical Frameworks
• LogFrames as a basis for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
• Sources of Verification: What are they?
• Critical Assumptions and Risks

Check it out now and never be scared of log frames again!