Project design & Planning

The Logical Framework Approach An Over View

Icelandic International Development Agency (ICEIDA)

Iceland

United Nations University Fisheries Training Programme (UNU-FTP)

Iceland

Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR)

Sri Lanka

Project Cycle Management-----

A short training course in project cycle management for subdivisions of MFAR in Sri Lanka

MFAR, ICEIDA and UNU-FTP

Content

An introduction to the logical framework approach

An overview of essential tools

Learning objectives

After this lecture participants will be able to understand the purpose of the logical framework approach Recognize the use of different tools in developing a logframe matrixUnderstand the difference between a logical framework approach and a logical framework matrix

Project cycle management

• Is a methodology for the preparation, implementation and evaluation of projects based on the principles of the logical framework approach

• It describes management activities and decision-making procedures used during the life cycle of a project – Key tasks – Roles and responsibilities – Key documents and decision options

The logical framework approach

• The Logical Framework Approach (LFA) is an open set of tools – for project design and management

• It’s purpose is to provide a clear and rational framework for planning envisioned activities and determine how to measure a project’s success, while taking external factors into account

Why a logical framework approach?

• It is a clear and concise visual presentation of all the key components of a plan and a basis for monitoring: - How the project will work- What it is going to achieve- What factors relate to its success- How progress will be measured

• Ensures the relevance, feasibility and sustainability of a project

• Ensures that fundamental questions are asked and weaknesses are analysed

• Identifies measurements/indicators of the project’s achievements

LFA characteristics

• Finding the “roots” before setting the objectives • Objectives & beneficiary oriented• Participatory/Ownership!• Consensus oriented• Focuses on logical links• Systematic common sense!!!

• A structured project design process– LFA suggests a logical sequence, interlinking the

individual steps in the design process• Transparency

– The reasons why a certain project is meant to be implemented are laid open (what are the problems and whose problems are they?) as well as the internal logic of the project design (what is the project expected to achieve and how?)

• Participation– of the stakeholders involved in the project design and

management, which is an essential prerequisite for the sustainability of a project

Benefits of LFA (1)

Benefits of LFA (2)

• A consistent project strategy– The LFA provides tools to clearly link causes and effects.

To better assess risks it also takes into account external factors that are crucial for the success of the project, but lie outside the control of the project

• Objectively verifiable indicators– Indicators describe objectives in measurable “empirically

observable” terms and provide the basis for performance measurement and project monitoring and evaluation.

• Flexibility – in adapting to changing conditions (that are of relevance

to the project). The LFA establishes a framework that makes the underlying rationale and assumptions transparent and helps to react to changes by, e.g., revising the design

The LFA cycle of operation

Two main phases of project formulation Analysis phase Planning phase

PESTLE analysisIdentifying external factors

Developing logical framework matrixDefining project structure, testing its internal logic and risks. Formulating measurable indicators of successSWOT analysis

Identifying and categorizing; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats Activity scheduling

Determining the sequence and dependency of duration and assigning responsibilityStakeholder analysis

Identifying and characterizing potential major stakeholders; assessing their capacity

Resource schedulingFrom the activity schedule, developing input schedules and a budget

Problem analysisIdentifying key problems, constraints and opportunities; determining cause and effect relationship

Objective analysisDeveloping solutions from the identified problem; identifying means-to-end relationship

Strategy analysisIdentifying different strategies to achieve solutions; selecting the most appropriate strategy

The LFA process of analyzing and planning

The log frame matrixPESTLE analysis

Stakeholder analysis

SWOT analysis

Strength Weaknesses

Opportunities Threats Problem analysis

Objective analysis

Strategy analysis

Schedules

Reports

Project strategy

Objectively verifiable indicators

Sources of Verification

Assumptions

Overall Objectives

Purpose

Results

Activities Means Cost

PRE CONDITION

Context of projects• Changes/projects are part of a larger context/

situation

• Which environment will the project be situated in?

• Which factors are of importance for achieving the objectives?

• Analysis of context made through a study and/or through making a PESTLE and SWOT analysis

Stakeholder analysis• Stakeholders - those who are influenced by and

exert an influence on the project entity

• Mapping of stakeholders and their respective roles

• Who will be influenced, positively or negatively, by the project

• Which stakeholders should be involved in planning and/or implementing the project

Problem analysis

• Identifying key problems, constraints opportunities;

• Determining cause/effect relationships

• Constructing the problem three

Objectives’ analysis

• Developing solutions from the identified problem

• Identifying means to end effect relationship

• Building the objective tree

Indicators• A baseline study might be needed to be able

to measure the final results.

• The process of setting up indicators shows if the objectives are vague

• Indicators should describe the:– Quantity, how much– Quality, what kind of change– Time, by when

Risk analysis - assumptions

• Analysis of factors which may influence the implementation of the project and hence the achievement of objectives

• Internal and external risks

• Alternative strategies may be needed.

• Risk management

Log Frame Matrix Objectivly veriable

indicators

Sources of Verification

Assumptions

Overall Objectives

Purpose

Results

Activities Means Cost

PRE CONDITION

Common confusion• Logical Framework Approach is often confused with

the Logical Framework Matrix

• LFA is a project preparation methodology – whereas the log frame is a document with a special

structure, produced at the end of the LFA process

• One common misuse of LFA is to design the project first and to "fill in" the Logical Framework Matrix at the end– This is not recommended, as it defeats the whole purpose

of the logical framework and the design methodology

Logical framework approach helps

• Because before starting the implementation, projects have:– Clearly identified stakeholders (primary target

group and final beneficiaries) – Clearly defined coordination, management and

financing arrangements– A monitoring and evaluation system– An appropriate level of financial and economic

analysis

Objectivly veriable

indicators

Sources of Verification

Overall Objectives

Purpose

Results

Activities Means Cost

PRE CONDITION

How the LFA method works depends very much on its’ users

LFA is no better and no worse than its’

users

References

• European Commission (2004). Project Cycle Management Guidelines. Downloaded 1st March from: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/qsm/documents/pcm_manual_2004_en.pdf

• Sweedish International Development Agency [SIDA] (2004). The Logical Framework Approach: A summary of the theory behind the LFA Method. Downloaded 14th of May from: http://www.sida.se/shared/jsp/download.jsp?f=SIDA1489en_web.pdf&a=2379