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Logic Model
Related Mid-Atlantic Information
On this page
- What is a Logic Model?
- How Does The Mid-Atlantic Office Use Logic Models?
- Definitions of Logic Model Terms
- Examples
- Contacts
What is a Logic Model?
The Logic Model is a learning and management tool which gives a picture of how an organization does its work. It helps everyone see what works and why. This tool links the expected outcome of a program or project to its individual activities and processes.
How Does The Mid-Atlantic Office Use Logic Models?
EPA's mid-Atlantic Region has adapted a model developed by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, a recognized leader in the development and practical application of this tool (Logic Model Development Guide 
). EPA has a different "bottom line" than most organizations: not money, but environmental results. And, EPA takes input from many different programs with different goals: some environmental, some educational, and some collaborative.
The Region is using this model as its organizational planning tool to maximize outcomes through efficient targeting of our resources.
We are currently applying the Logic Model and its data to answer questions such as:
- Which activities do we do that more effectively reduce pollution?
- Where can we find more effective combinations of activities/programs to improve public health and the environment?
- What other additional activities should we be doing to better meet our mission?
Logic Models help define activities we need to do so that ... scientists can understand what is causing the fish to die so that ... different options that help the fish populations can be evaluated within the whole environmental, economic and social context, so that ... conditions improve, the fish are healthy, and the EPA mission is met.
Definitions of Logic Model Terms
Baseline = Present or current state related to outcomes and impacts; measures from which to judge success/accomplishment of outcomes and impacts.
Program Impediments = Barriers to completing activities or completing activities effectively or efficiently.
Activities = Assigned or self-generated tasks that are performed by individuals or groups.
Outputs = Products generated as a result of accomplishing activities; evidence of service delivery.
Outcomes = Results of specific outputs; describe an organization's mission (e.g., Environmental Assessment & Innovation Division mission for divisional logic model; Office mission for office logic model).
Impacts = Impacts are organized into two general accountability categories:
- Mission (sub-divided into public health, environmental function and public education)
- Statutory
For public health, impacts are health effects (single or combined). For ecosystems, impacts are ecosystem function or services. For public education, impacts can be defined by sector, constituency or public health/ecosystem services education. In addition, impacts can represent statutory accomplishment. Ideally, mission and statutory accomplishment are the same; but currently, this is not necessarily the case.
Examples
Generic EPA Mid-Atlantic Environmental Assessment & Innovation Division Logic Model |
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Baseline The current condition of the environment & the current capability to meet EPA's mission. |
Program Impediments These are the things that make it difficult to perform the necessary activities. |
Activities In order to address our problems we will accomplish the following activities. |
Outputs This is a reflection of the Divisional functional statement & the Office functional statement; the things listed here are products (reports, etc.). |
Outcomes This is a reflection of our Divisional mission statement & addresses group activities (not individual activities); results expected when the Division achieves its mission. |
Impacts This connects the Division's mission & vision statements to the EPA mission and vision statements; also includes addressing EPA statutory requirements; these are the Division's contribution to the EPA mission. |
Mission Accountability Statutory Accountability Progress toward Mission and Statutory Accountability Program Accountability Program Impediment Level |
Funding Expertise Administrative Functions Communication |
Classify all activities into one of the following categories: I. Building Institutional Capability II. Full Stakeholder Participation III. Program Management/ Accountability IV. Addressing Program Impediments |
Classify all outputs into one of the following categories: I. Building Institutional Capability II. Full Stakeholder Participation III. Program Management/ Accountability IV. Addressing Program Impediments |
(I, II) Division's contribution toward assessing the environmental problem & evaluating options. (I, II, III) Progress Toward Mission & Statutory Accountability Impacts (III) Program Accountability (IV) Program Impediment Reduction & Prevention |
I. Measures of Mission Accountability A. Public Health B. Environmental Function C. Public Education II. Measures of Statutory Accountability |
Sample Chesapeake Bay Watershed Logic Model |
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Baseline The current condition of the environment & the current capability to meet EPA’s mission. |
Program Impediments These are the things that make it difficult to perform the necessary activities. |
Activities In order to address our problems we will accomplish the following activities. |
Outputs This is a reflection of the Divisional functional statement & the Office functional statement; the things listed here are products (reports, etc.). |
Outcomes This is a reflection of our Divisional mission statement & addresses group activities (not individual activities); results expected when the Division achieves its mission. |
Impacts This connects the Division's mission & vision statements to the EPA mission and vision statements; also includes addressing EPA statutory requirements; these are the Division’s contribution to the EPA mission. |
Current capability to evaluate & implement options to reduce pollution. For example, current poor water quality causing disease or illness in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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Funding to buy monitors & provide travel dollars for employees to service monitors. Availability of technical data in readily accessible format. |
What we do: For example, evaluating the problem of bacterial contamination in the Chesapeake Bay. I. Monitoring II. Technical evaluation |
What we get: I. Data about potential sources of bacterial levels. II. Understanding about the data (i.e., fate and transport model runs & analysis). |
How does this meet the EAID mission? Provide decision makers with scientifically credible information. For example, using model runs to evaluate different options available to reduce bacterial levels in the Chesapeake Bay. |
How does this meet the EPA mission? Contribute to implementing options to reduce pollution. For example, (different year from baseline or future year) poor water quality causing disease or illness in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. |
Indicator 1: Current number of people with diseases due to poor water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Indicator 2: Above PLUS also maintaining or improving economic, social standards of living. (i.e. composite environmental / economic / social indicator) |
Indicator: Percent of funding requested for data analysis available for the model runs. |
Indicator: Identifying data sources & science experts required to build a credible fate & transport model. |
Indicator: Credible fate & transport model runs showing how sources impact bacterial levels in the Chesapeake Bay. |
Indicator: Number of different options evaluated. |
Indicator 1: Number of people with diseases due to poor water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Indicator 2: Above PLUS also maintaining or improving economic, social standards of living (i.e. composite environmental / economic / social indicator). |
Contacts
Cynthia Stahl (stahl.cynthia@epa.gov)
Decision Analysis Module
Office of Environmental Information & Analysis (3EA10)
Environmental Assessment & Innovation Division
US EPA Region 3
1650 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103--2029
215-814-2180
Janet Kremer (kremer.janet@epa.gov)
Air Quality Analysis Branch (3AP22)
Air Protection Division
US EPA Region 3
1650 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103--2029
215-814-2147