Project design & Planning
The Logical Framework Approach
An Over View
Project Cycle Management
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A short training course in project cycle management for
subdivisions of MFAR in Sri Lanka
MFAR, ICEIDA and UNU-FTP
Ministry of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources (DFAR)
Icelandic International
Development Agency (ICEIDA)
United Nations University Fisheries
Training Programme (UNU-FTP)
Sri Lanka
Iceland
Iceland
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 matrix
Understand 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!!!
Benefits of LFA (1)
• 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 (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
PESTLE analysis
Identifying external factors
SWOT analysis
Identifying and categorizing; strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats
Stakeholder analysis
Identifying and characterizing potential
major stakeholders; assessing their
capacity
Problem analysis
Identifying key problems, constraints and
opportunities; determining cause and
effect relationship
Objective analysis
Developing solutions from the identified
problem; identifying means-to-end
relationship
Strategy analysis
Identifying different strategies to achieve
solutions; selecting the most appropriate
strategy
Planning phase
Developing logical framework matrix
Defining project structure, testing its
internal logic and risks.
Formulating measurable indicators of success
Activity scheduling
Determining the sequence and dependency
of duration and assigning responsibility
Resource scheduling
From the activity schedule, developing
input schedules and a budget
The LFA process of analyzing
and planning
PESTLE analysis
Strength
Opportunities
Stakeholder
analysis
SWOT analysis
Weaknesses
Threats
Problem analysis
Objective
analysis
Strategy analysis
The log frame matrix
Project
strategy
Objectively
verifiable
indicators
Sources of
Verification
Means
Cost
Assumptions
Overall
Objectives
Purpose
Results
Activities
PRE CONDITION
Schedules
Reports
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
Means
Cost
Assumptions
Overall
Objectives
Purpose
Results
Activities
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
Means
Cost
Overall
Objectives
Purpose
Results
Activities
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/pc
m_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=SI
DA1489en_web.pdf&a=2379