Logical Framework Analysis

Logical Framework Analysis is a very important tool to describe the project in a simplified manner. It gives the summary of the whole project proposal. Usually this document will be prepared by grant seeking agencies and submit it the funding or donor organizations.  It is an analytical, presentational and management tool which can help planners and managers. It helps to analyze the existing situation during activity preparation and establishes a logical hierarchy of means by which objectives will be reached during the implementation of the project. It also identifies the potential risks to achieving the objectives and to sustainable outcomes and at the same time establishes how to monitor and evaluate outputs and outcomes. In a brief it gives complete picture of the project. All the stakeholders of the project can refer LFA and use wherever they feel necessary.

LFA can be a useful tool in the planning, monitoring, evaluation management of development projects. It is not the only planning tool, and should not be considered an end in itself, but using it encourages the discipline of clear and specific thinking about what the project aims to do and how, and highlighting those aspects upon which success depends. It increases the accountability and commitment of implementing agencies towards the success of the project.

Module Description

As it was a new concept to all fellows the instructor initially gave the meaning of LFA. According Department for International Development (DFID) the Logical Framework as "a tool to help designers of projects think logically about

•      what the project is trying to achieve (the purpose),

•      what things the project needs to do to bring that about (the outputs) and

•              .  What needs to be done to produce these outputs (the activities) ?

By looking above statement A log frame (also known as a Project Framework) is nothing but a tool for planning and managing development Projects. 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. The log frame model was developed in the United States and has since been adopted and adapted for use by many other donors. Now a day’s all funders prefer LFA. That is why its importance has been increased.

Key Points of the module

In logical framework analysis module the instructor tries to teach the meaning, its importance, the contents and process to prepare the LFA. The specific structure is very essential to a log frame.  The person who prepares has to first define the problem for that he/she has to prepare problem tree. Because LFA is a way of describing a project in a logical way so that it should be well designed, described objectively, Can be evaluated, and clearly structured.

Problem analysis and problem tree helps to prepare a objective tree. Two main approaches for problem tree analysis and objective tree analysis first one is Focal problem method which means development problems (or constraints) are brainstormed by the group, a core or focal problem is identified, and the cause and effect analysis then pivots around the focal problem. And second one is Objectives oriented method; a broad/high level development objective is specified at the start of the analysis, and constraints to achieving this objective are then brainstormed, analyzed  and sorted in to a cause and effect logic. After this process stakeholder analysis has to be done in this process. It includes deciding who these problems actually impact on most, and what the roles and interests of different stakeholders might be in addressing the problems and reaching solutions.

The important activity starts after objective tree analysis that is setting the goal for the project. It means wider problem the project will help to resolve during the specific period. The project should have to have the purpose which gives the immediate impact on the project area or target group i.e. the change or benefit to be achieved by the project. Outputs setting is also an important activity these are the specifically deliverable results expected from the project to attain the purpose. To fulfill the purpose and goal the specific activities should be mentioned in the log frame, these are the tasks to be done to produce the outputs. After that inputs, measurable indicators, means of verification and assumptions should be framed and submitted to funder for the verification and approval.

Major Learning

The module helped to learn about the importance of logical framework in planning and management of development proposals and its various advantages. It reduces the conflict and confusion different stakeholders. It increases the accountability of the project implementing organization towards the donor and beneficiaries. LFA also provides a handy summary to inform project staff, donors, beneficiaries and other stakeholders, which can be referred to throughout the lifecycle of the project. In the present context by looking into the advantages majority of the funding agencies suggests to have the logical framework analysis in the project proposal. That’s why all development workers should know the process of preparing the logical framework analysis.