Overview
A theory of change and a logframe answer related but different questions. A theory of change explains why and how you expect change to happen: the long-term goal, the preconditions that must be in place, the pathways between them and the assumptions that link them, including factors outside your control. A logical framework (logframe) summarizes the project in a matrix — usually goal or impact, outcomes or purpose, outputs and activities — with indicators, means of verification and assumptions for each level.
Many applicants reverse the order: they fill in a logframe template first, then struggle to explain it. We start with the change you want to see, work backwards to the preconditions and your contribution, and only then set out the matrix. The result is a logframe that reads as a summary of a thought-through program rather than a form.
We pay particular attention to indicators. Each should be specific, measurable with data you can actually collect, and have a baseline and a target, and the means of verification should name a real source. Weak indicators are one of the most common reasons program officers ask for revisions.
Who it’s for and the problems it solves
This is for you if you are…
- NGOs and nonprofits applying to bilateral and multilateral development funders
- Foundations' grantees asked to submit a results framework or theory of change
- Researchers in applied and development research whose grants require a logframe
- Monitoring and evaluation staff preparing a proposal's results framework
- Organizations moving from activity reporting to outcome-focused programs
Common problems we help with
- Your logframe lists activities in the outcomes row
- Indicators are unmeasurable or have no baseline or target
- Assumptions say 'the political situation remains stable' and nothing more
- Your theory of change diagram has so many boxes and arrows that nobody can read it
- The logframe, narrative and budget describe different results
- The funder uses different terms (purpose, outcome, intermediate result) and you are unsure how they map
What’s included — and what isn’t
Included
- Facilitated or document-based development of a theory of change
- Results chain from activities to outputs, outcomes and impact, in the funder's terminology
- Logframe matrix: narrative summary, indicators, means of verification and assumptions
- SMART indicators with baselines, targets and disaggregation where relevant
- Assumptions and risks at each level, with notes on how they will be monitored
- A readable theory of change diagram
- Alignment of logframe with narrative, work plan, budget and monitoring and evaluation plan
- Adapting a logframe between funders with different templates
Not included
- Inventing baseline data or targets without an evidence basis
- Conducting baseline surveys or evaluations (available separately through our research services)
- Committing implementing partners to results they have not agreed
- Promising that a funder will approve the results framework
What you receive
- Theory of change narrative
- A concise explanation of the long-term goal, pathways, preconditions and assumptions.
- Theory of change diagram
- An editable, readable diagram in PowerPoint or your preferred tool, plus a figure for the proposal.
- Logframe matrix
- A completed matrix in the funder's template with indicators, baselines, targets, means of verification and assumptions.
- Indicator reference sheet
- For each indicator: definition, unit, data source, frequency, responsibility and disaggregation.
How it works
Program and funder review
We read the funder's template and guidance and your program description, and list terms to align.
Theory of change
Through a workshop or written exchange, we map the long-term goal, pathways, preconditions and assumptions.
Results chain and logframe
We translate the theory of change into the funder's results levels and fill the matrix with you.
Indicators and verification
We refine indicators, baselines, targets and data sources with your monitoring team.
Alignment check
We check consistency with the narrative, budget and work plan and finalize the diagram.
Tools and definitions
- Results chain
- Inputs and activities lead to outputs (what the project delivers), outcomes (changes in behavior, practice or conditions) and impact (long-term change).
- Logical framework matrix
- Typically four rows by four columns: narrative summary, objectively verifiable indicators, means of verification and assumptions.
- Theory of change
- A causal map working backwards from the goal, making preconditions and assumptions explicit and showing where the project contributes.
- SMART indicators
- Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound indicators with baselines and targets.
- Assumptions and risks
- External conditions required for one level to lead to the next, monitored during implementation.
- Contribution versus attribution
- Being clear about which changes the project can claim to cause and which it contributes to alongside others.
Logframe or theory of change: which does your funder want?
Some funders require a logframe matrix, others a theory of change, and many want both. The theory of change is the explanation; the logframe is the management and accountability summary. If your funder only asks for one, we still sketch the other internally, because it exposes gaps. Terminology varies — goal, purpose, outcome, intermediate result, objective — so we map your program to the funder's own terms.
Indicators that can actually be measured
An indicator is only useful if someone will collect the data. We test each one against practical questions: who collects it, how often, with which tool and at what cost. Where possible we use indicators the funder already recommends or existing administrative data, which reduces burden and makes reporting easier later. Our monitoring and evaluation service can design data collection if needed.
- Outputs: counts of what the project delivers
- Outcomes: changes among participants or institutions
- Impact: longer-term changes, often monitored through external data
What the work can look like
Illustrative example — fictional data
Illustrative logframe row
A fictional two-year program training community health workers in maternal nutrition counseling in three districts.
Outcome
Mothers of children under two in target communities adopt recommended infant feeding practices.
Indicator, baseline and target
Percentage of children aged 6–23 months receiving a minimum acceptable diet. Baseline from the program's own household survey in Month 3; target set as an increase agreed with the funder after the baseline is known, rather than an invented figure at proposal stage.
Means of verification and assumption
Household surveys at baseline and endline using a standard questionnaire module. Assumption: food prices remain within a range that allows households to follow advice; monitored through district market price data.
Illustrative example with an invented program. Real logframes follow your funder's template and evidence.
What you’ll need to provide
- The funder's template and guidance on results frameworks
- Program description, context analysis and any existing theory of change
- Available baseline data, past monitoring reports or evaluation findings
- Information about partners, target groups and geography
- Contact with monitoring and evaluation staff if you have them
You don’t need everything ready to ask for a quote — tell us what you have and we’ll say what’s missing.
What affects price and turnaround
Price depends on
- Program size and number of result areas
- Whether a facilitated workshop is included
- Availability of baseline data and existing frameworks
- Funder template complexity
Turnaround depends on
- Scheduling of workshops with your team and partners
- Time to confirm baselines and targets
- Submission deadline
Every project is quoted individually. How we price our work.
Questions people ask before starting
Can you run a theory of change workshop with our team?
Yes. Online workshops with your staff and partners are often the fastest way to agree the logic. We prepare materials, facilitate and write up the result.
We have no baseline data yet. What do we put in the logframe?
Many funders accept a baseline to be established in the first months, with targets set afterwards. We help you describe how and when the baseline will be collected rather than inventing a figure.
Our funder uses its own results framework. Can you adapt to it?
Yes. We work in the funder's template and terminology and map your existing framework onto it.
Is a theory of change the same as a logic model?
They overlap. A logic model is usually a simpler linear diagram of inputs, activities, outputs and outcomes; a theory of change adds the causal reasoning, preconditions and assumptions behind the links.