{"id":745,"date":"2026-02-27T13:50:46","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T13:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ccfsc-cccs.ca\/cusm\/?page_id=745"},"modified":"2026-03-25T10:59:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T14:59:25","slug":"guide-for-logic-models-and-tocs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ccfsc-cccs.ca\/cusm\/guide-for-logic-models-and-tocs\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide for Logic Models and Theories of Change"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"745\" class=\"elementor elementor-745\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e5f6f9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1e5f6f9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16c8817 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"16c8817\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Overview<\/h2>\n<p>This resource gives an overview of how we approach co-creating Logic Models and Theories of Change (ToC) at CCFSC, in case our shared language and best practices are helpful to others. This will be treated as a living resource that can evolve as the CCFSC evaluation team continues to expand our evaluation practice.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout, we refer to Logic Models and ToCs as supporting descriptions of <em>programs<\/em>; but these tools are equally great for explaining other interventions, services, or projects, and they may also be used to capture descriptions of organizational impact as part of strategic planning. Both tools ideally serve as as living\/dynamic tools that can evolve over time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-281ce7d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"281ce7d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0782485 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0782485\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Logic Models &amp; Theories of Change<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0075c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f0075c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Logic Model<\/strong> \u2013 a structured, simplified list of program elements, typically in a table showing the linear sequence of inputs \u2192 activities \u2192 outputs \u2192 outcomes<strong>.<\/strong> It summarizes <em>what<\/em> the program does and its expected results.<\/li><li><strong>Theory of Change (ToC) <\/strong>\u2013 a visual description and (ideally) an accompanying written narrative that explains <em>how\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0<em>why<\/em>\u00a0a program is\u00a0expected\u00a0to achieve\u00a0its\u00a0intended\u00a0outcomes. This helps visualize or describe the \u201ccausal chain,\u201d and is supported by capturing other nuances, including underlying rationale\/evidence, assumptions, and external factors.<\/li><\/ul><p>Both tools are great for:<\/p><ul><li>Informing program design, planning, learning, evaluation, and accountability<\/li><li>Helping teams collaborate towards defining a shared\u00a0vision and aligning around objectives<\/li><li>Establishing measurable outcomes to be used within an evaluation plan<\/li><\/ul><p>These tools are extremely complimentary, and any program could benefit from either or both. See Table 1 for a comparison.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-908521d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"908521d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Table 1. Comparing When to Use Logic Models vs. Theories of Change<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-801dc55 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"801dc55\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c429a99 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c429a99\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f257db8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f257db8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Logic Model<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f60a1f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f60a1f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Best for linear depictions of program flow where a single, straightforward sequence is sufficient. Causal logic is implied rather than fully theorized. Often considered a good starting point; helpful for simple and straight-forward initiatives.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf6b1f8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bf6b1f8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c417527 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c417527\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Theory of Change (ToC) <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5729c76 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5729c76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Typically more fluid and dynamic. Suited to complex, multilevel, or nonlinear change, especially when supporting strategic thinking.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d706af elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9d706af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Elements of Logic Models and Theories of Change<\/h2><p>Both tools often have many overlapping elements, described in Table 2.<\/p><p><strong>Table 2. Core Elements for Logic Models and ToCs. <\/strong><\/p><table><thead><tr><th rowspan=\"2\">Element*<\/th><th rowspan=\"2\">Description<\/th><th colspan=\"2\">Whether\/ how included in a&#8230;<\/th><\/tr><tr><th>Logic Model<\/th><th>Theory of Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Inputs<\/strong><\/td><td>Resources required to implement the work (funding, staff, partnerships, material, spaces).<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><td>Sometimes \/ May be implied<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Activities \/ Strategies<\/strong><\/td><td>What is implemented to influence change.<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Outputs<\/strong><\/td><td>Tangible products, goods, services, relationships or other immediate results of the activities (e.g., sessions delivered, materials created).<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><td>Sometimes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Outcomes<\/strong><\/td><td>The changes in knowledge, behavior, conditions, or systems expected to result from the activities and outputs. Often categorized by timeline (i.e., short-, medium-, or long-term; or in proximity to activities: immediate, intermediate, ultimate); or may also be categorized by group (i.e., residents, service workers, police, etc.).<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Ultimate Impact \/ Goal<\/strong><\/td><td>The broad, long-term change \/ mission within the project \/ intervention\u2019s sphere of influence.<\/td><td>Typically<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Causal chain<\/strong><\/td><td>The sequence showing how various components are logically and reasonably connected.<\/td><td>No; implied as linear<\/td><td>Yes; this might be expressed using arrows or other cues in a visual, and described in the narrative.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Rationale and Core Assumptions<\/strong><\/td><td>Evidence-based<strong><sup><a href=\"#_ftn1\" name=\"_ftnref1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong> explanations or assumptions that describe why or how the model was designed or implemented in a certain way, ideally referencing relevant literature about similar models, populations, or contexts.<\/td><td>Sometimes; may note high-level bulleted list but not related to causal change<\/td><td>Yes, typically detailed throughout narrative. Used to explain causal chain.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Confounders \/ External Factors \/ Enablers and Risks<\/strong><\/td><td>Contextual variables outside the initiative\u2019s control that may influence outcomes or interfere with causal links. Consider policy, economic, social, and environmental conditions as applicable.<\/td><td>Sometimes; light touch list<\/td><td>Yes, typically embedded within narrative<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84ca561 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"84ca561\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>* Note:<\/em> <em>Naming conventions for these elements may differ across projects; what matters most is capturing the underlying meaning and intent, rather than adhering to particular labels.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8a8ce7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a8a8ce7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\">[1]<\/a> <em>CCFSC&#8217;s definition of &#8220;evidence-informed&#8221; includes evidence from academic and community-based research, historical\/contextual evidence, and lived experience and knowledge derived from practice.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-365109e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"365109e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Processes for Building Logic Models and Theories of Change<\/h2><p>At CCFSC, Logic Models and ToCs are often developed through a participatory, co-created process, but the format and level of detail can flex depending on the project, partners, and timelines. The overall goal is to bring people together to build shared clarity about what the work aims to achieve and how change is expected to happen. This can be done through facilitated discussion, small-group work, white-boarding, sticky-note mapping, or any other collaborative method that suits the group. Throughout the process, facilitators encourage inclusive dialogue and multiple perspectives.<\/p><p>A typical starting point is inviting partners to agree on the long-term outcome(s); by defining the broad change the program or project hopes to contribute to. From there, groups can \u201cwork backward\u201d to surface short- and medium-term outcomes and then explore how activities and outputs align with the outcomes and where gaps or new opportunities may exist. A secondary part of the conversation (when relevant) typically probes additional elements such as core assumptions, rationale, justifications, confounders, and external factors.<\/p><p>For Theories of Change specifically, groups will also explore the causal chain, describing how activities, outputs, and outcomes connect. The emphasis during development is on surfacing shared understanding and exploring relationships between components, not on achieving perfect precision.<\/p><p>After the participatory work, insights can be synthesized into draft tables, visuals or narratives, then iterated and refined with partners. Both Logic Models and ToCs are ideally treated as living resources that evolve as programs\/ projects grow, contexts shift, and new learning emerges.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8712fba elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8712fba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Logic Model Template<\/h2><p>Table 3. Sample Logic Model Template<\/p><table class=\"logic-model-table\"><thead><tr><th rowspan=\"2\">Inputs<\/th><th rowspan=\"2\">Activities \/ Strategies<\/th><th rowspan=\"2\">Outputs<\/th><th colspan=\"3\">Outcomes<\/th><th rowspan=\"2\">Impact<\/th><\/tr><tr><th>Short-term<\/th><th>Medium-term<\/th><th>Long-term<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td style=\"height: 200px;\">\u00a0<\/td><td>\u00a0<\/td><td>\u00a0<\/td><td>\u00a0<\/td><td>\u00a0<\/td><td>\u00a0<\/td><td>\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"7\"><strong>Assumptions:<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"7\"><strong>External factors\/ confounders:<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9d187c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a9d187c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Guidance for Theories of Change<\/h2><p>Unlike Logic Models that are generally standardized in format, ToCs can take many different forms. Typically core elements are summarized succinctly in a visual and further described in a narrative.\u00a0<\/p><h4>Key considerations for visuals:<\/h4><ul><li><strong>Clear is kind.<\/strong> <strong>Prioritize<\/strong> <strong>plain language, clean visual elements, and conciseness. <\/strong><ul><li>Whenever possible, without diminishing important context\/details, streamline the text as concisely as possible.<\/li><li>A traditional ToC visual aims to fit on one page with sufficient negative space (i.e., the empty space) to maximize readability.<\/li><li>Ensure each visual element has a purpose<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Consider different styles:<\/strong> A few examples to consider:<ul><li><strong>Infographic style<\/strong> \u2013 might look like a standard diagram with text boxes, arrows, and some icons<\/li><li><strong>Artistic style<\/strong> \u2013 might integrate a broader visual theme that aligns with the overall message\/mission. Some examples applicable to the CSWB context might include:<ul><li>A park\/forest<\/li><li>A community garden<\/li><li>A city square<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Keep accessibility in mind.<\/strong> A great reference is AODA\u2019s <strong>WCAG 2.0 Level AA<\/strong> Key recommendations include\u00a0providing text alternatives for images, ensuring high colour contrast, avoiding the use of colour as the only method to convey information, and using clear fonts.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><h4>Narrative ToC Elements:<\/h4><p>In addition to the items described as applicable for narratives in Table 2, the following additional context may be helpful to include in a ToC narrative.<\/p><ul><li><strong>Brief introduction\/overview \u2013 <\/strong>describe how ToC visual and narrative relate, as well as the purpose of both. Ideally acknowledge that the ToC is a living document and can evolve.<\/li><li><strong>Overview of ToC creation process &#8211; <\/strong>key ways the ToC elements were informed\/co-created (e.g., project documents, launch meetings, shared language definitions, ToC workshops, lit review, etc.)<\/li><li><strong>Project or program background\/context \u2013 <\/strong>high level description about the project\/programs, relevant stakeholders\/ funders, core mission and design elements etc.<\/li><li><strong>Descriptions of all components from the ToC visual<\/strong> \u2013 Any relevant narrative around connections between activities, outputs, goals or impact; and explainers for the causal chain<ul><li>If the ToC is fairly complex, consider aligning clear labels with the visual (e.g., O1, O2) when describing the narrative<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><h4>Building Nested or Layered ToCs<\/h4><p>Nested or Layered ToCs may be helpful if developing a program or service within a broader multi-sectoral initiative. For instance:<\/p><ol><li>A Program-Level ToC<\/li><\/ol><ul><li>What the program\/service does<\/li><li>Individual and system outcomes it aims to influence<\/li><\/ul><ol start=\"2\"><li>A Project-Level ToC<\/li><\/ol><ul><li>The collaborative\u2019s activities<\/li><li>What capacity, partnerships, and governance contribute<\/li><li>How these enable the program\/service to exist and function<\/li><li>How this contributes to a broader\/systemic strengthening within the ecosystem<\/li><\/ul><p>A combined version that captures both layers of the ToC above may help with thinking about outcomes at different levels, and how to contribute to systems-level change.<\/p><h4>Building Non-linear ToCs<\/h4><p>Outside of traditional ToCs, alternative non-linear ToC formats also may be of interest, especially for interventions\/projects that prioritize Indigenous or other non-western ways of knowing; or that are more systemic\/complex. These may have different components than those listed above.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview This resource gives an overview of how we approach co-creating Logic Models and Theories of Change (ToC) at CCFSC, in case our shared language and best practices are helpful to others. This will be treated as a living resource that can evolve as the CCFSC evaluation team continues to expand our evaluation practice. Throughout, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-745","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccfsc-cccs.ca\/cusm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/745","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccfsc-cccs.ca\/cusm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccfsc-cccs.ca\/cusm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccfsc-cccs.ca\/cusm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccfsc-cccs.ca\/cusm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=745"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/ccfsc-cccs.ca\/cusm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/745\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1412,"href":"https:\/\/ccfsc-cccs.ca\/cusm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/745\/revisions\/1412"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccfsc-cccs.ca\/cusm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}