‘Logic Check sheet’, Alison Wray, Jan 2014
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This logic check sheet is generic, and therefore may not cover all and only the things you need. If
you are just planning a project and don’t have a funder in mind, this sheet should be sufficient to get
your ideas in order, unless the project evidently entails something not listed—in which case add it.
If you know which funder you are going to, check the guidelines in detail so you know you cover
everything they ask for. Also check what the assessors are asked to comment on, so that you build
in clear information for them to find.
The detail in the right hand column won’t necessarily appear in exactly that form on an application,
though often you can cut and paste. The order on the form may be different too, but the elements
should all be used somewhere (and preferably only once).
The point of the ‘logic’ on the sheet is ensuring that everything ties up
o objectives need to tie closely into outcomes (see an objective as a statement about achieving
an outcome)
o research and lit review questions are also very likely to be tied into objectives and
outcomes—certainly they should cross-refer to them.
It’s possible something on this list is not relevant to your project/application, but think very carefully
before removing or ignoring it. Even if you are not asked directly for that thing, you should know
about it and you may want to include it. (E.g. you may not be asked to explain why the research is
timely or value for money, but it’s still a good idea to do so).
If you struggle to fill in the boxes, it’s probably because your plans need thinking
through more. If you have your project clear in your mind, it should be easy to
complete the form.
Focus
Element of logic
Content in this project
What we Project title
aim to do  keywords
summarising the
topic
Broad aim
 what we are
addressing in
general terms
Objectives:
 addressing
issues
Objectives:
 addressing
people
(engagement/dis
semination)
Objectives:
 changing
something
(impact)
 who will benefit
Why it is Link to existing
importan agendas
t and
 evidence for its
timely
importance and
timeliness
1
How
we’ll do
it
What we
will
achieve
Theoretical
framework for
addressing the
central question or
issue, and why this
one is best
Research
questions:
 make sure they
are crossreferenced to
objectives
above
 contributing to
addressing the
wider central
issue of
concern
Methods
 specific means
of achieving the
objectives
 suitable for the
target audience
 who will do
what and why
Methods of
translating
activities into
outcomes
Anticipated
outcomes:
 projected body
of data that will
achieve the
objectives
(crossreference to
each one)
 how the
outcomes will
be reported
(list possible
outputs)
2
How it
will be
useful
Costs
Risks &
Continge
ncies
Impact:
 what value the
outputs will
have for the
specified
beneficiaries in
helping them
address the
central question
or issue of
concern
 how this will
feed into
further stages
Researcher
costs:
 who works on
the project and
for how much
time?
Event costs:
 who organises
it
 venue, AV and
catering
 fees for any
other
presenters
Travel &
subsistence
costs:
 for researchers
 staff for event
 attendees for
event
Value for money:
 why are these
costs
necessary?
 (experiment
with what
would happen if
a cost was not
there)
Research
 What could go
wrong
 How
anticipated
3
Supporti
ng info
What do
we want
out of it
Event
 What could go
wrong
 How
anticipated
Evidence that we
can do it
Detail of why
this is the right
way to do it
 Foci of lit
review
Evidence of our
credibility
Direct outcomes
from this
Other things
4