LFA

Logical Framework Analysis Module Report

Introduction: Logical framework analysis (LFA) is used to present a project in an effective manner to a funder. It is a document that provides comprehensive but condensed details about a project. LFA is a tool to help designers of projects to think logically about the purpose of the project, identify the outputs of the project and form the activities to produce the output of the project.

This module ran for three days to focus its theoretical as well as practical learning. During these days all fellows learned many new and useful lessons. After this module we are much confident to make an LFA on the basis of proposal. This module is very important for us to recognize a project proposal and project itself that how much is proposal is strong to run successfully. This report details the material covered in LFA module.

Key points if the module: In LFA module the main key points are the main factors those define all about module description. Key points includes concept of logical framework, the need of the logical framework, goal, purpose, activities, indicators, output, means of verification and assumptions in preparing LFA table. Problem tree and objective tree terms are also important to know the condensed information. Steps include in stakeholders analysis and three steps of making LFA success; top down, work across and bottom up are also the key points.

Module Description: The logical framework (LFA) is an analytical, presentation and management tool that can help planners and managers to analyze the existing situation during activity preparation, establish a logical hierarchy of means by which objectives will be reached, identify the potential risks to achieving the objectives to get sustainable outcomes, establish how to monitor and evaluate outputs and outcomes and, if desired, present a summary of the activity in a standard format. An LFA also helps project managers monitor and review the activities during implementation. A logical framework is also known as a project framework, which is a tool for planning and managing development projects. The log frame should be concise. It is always important to remember that the log frame does not intend to show every detail of the project or to limit the scope of the project. It is simply a convenient, logical summary of the key factors of the project. It can be explained in two pages of A4 size paper. There is no need to explain each and every thing in a log frame in an elaborate way. In logframe analysis only the problem, objective and logframe table is must be included. It should be written so that people for whom it is being presented should understand all the information.

The logframe model was developed first in the United States and has since been adopted and used by many other donors. In standard format a logframe summarizes the said objective of the project, the activities that will be used for achieving the purpose, the assumptions that may affect the project, the required resources, how success of the project can be measured, etc.The LFA is used because most funders prefer it. It can be used for planning, management and evaluation of a project. It not only tells the plane of project, but it also shows the project’s aim and how it will run. LFA also provides a handy summary to inform project staff, donors, beneficiaries and other stakeholders, which can be referred to throughout the lifecycle of the project.

In the group of three people we made the problem tree, objective tree and LFA table on the project called, ‘Improve the Socio-Economic Status of Sexual Minorities.’ Below given table explains the indicators, verification and assumptions of the project.

(Model of logical framework analysis)

Logical Framework Analysis Table
Particulars	Measurable Indicators	Means of Verification	Important Assumptions
Goal
To Improve Socio economic status of sexual minorities in India
Purpose
To reduce Social stigma attached to Sexual Minorities, To achieve social acceptance	30% of general population will be aware about rights of sexual minorities 2015 in Karnataka	SMs working in public sector by external survey /study
Outputs
1. Linked to alternative employment for sexual minorities	40% of the participants initiate IG activities by 2015 in Karnataka	Follow up reports, reports of MFIs
2. Established network with Gos, NGOs and institutions to improve coverage	80% of Gos and NGOs consulted for networking by 2011	Administrative records Visitors register
3. Advocacy done	No of questions and issues raised of sexual minorities in Assembly and Parliament by 2013	Press release and media coverage	Overwhelming support & involvement of community.
Activities
1. To form groups and providing micro credits with the help of MFIs	75% of SM population will be covered by 2012	Registration List, administrative Documents, MFI documents , MPRs	MFIs will provide credits to trained participants.
2. IG training Program for minorities	70% of the covered population will be provided IG training by 2014	Training attendance, Schedule, agenda & reports
3. Exposure visits	All participants exposed to successful SM groups.	Travelling tickets
4. Networking with Gos and NGOs by individual and delegation meet.	No. of Gos and VOs linked	Administrative records,
5. Awareness to the SM and likeminded people by FGD	80% of SM population will be awared by 2020	schedule, agenda, photographs
6. Training on advocacy	500 training by 2015	Reg.list, schedule, agenda, photographs
7. Awareness to general public on gender by street plays	2000 street plays by the end of the project.	photographs & Media coverage

There are some terms used in LFA designing, like goal, purpose, output, activities, indicators, means of verification, assumptions, super goals and inputs. Goal is the ultimate result to which the project is contributing or, in other words, the desired impact of the project. Purpose is the change or effects that will appear if project outputs are achieved. Outputs are the intended results of the project activities; outputs may be the milestones for the project that will indicate the progress on different stages of the project. Indicators define the qualitative and quantitative dimensions of measuring progress, whether project output, purpose and goals have been achieved. Means of verification (MOV) is the data that assess the indicators’ progress. Assumptions assess the external factors that influence the project and can be the major cause of affecting the project.

LFA should be a result of team effort, and there should be involvement of all possible stakeholders. Involvement of stakeholders will strengthen the narrative summary, and the LFA will be more transparent and authentic. At the time of starting LFA designing it is the best to first design the problem tree, then the objective tree and finally the logical framework table. The problem tree identifies the main problem addressing by the project, its cause and its effect. It helps to create the objective tree because the objective tree always identifies and gives the positive solution of the problem. For identifying a problem there are two methods: focal problem method and objectives oriented method. SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities and threats) analysis and spider diagrams are also used in LFA to make it stronger, more meaningful and authentic.

Three stages of the success of LFA define the top-down objective in the first stage, measurable indicators and means of verification in the second and assumptions in the third.

Learning: During LFA session I was involved in activities to gain a better understanding of the subject. The first activity, spider diagram practice, was to learn how to assess keenly the project. Through the spider diagram we can discover which particular part needs more attention so that in the future there more efforts can be diverted to this particular portion. The second activity was basically practicing LFA. In this practice I confirmed that if a project is really good then it can positively impact a funder. If an LFA is designed well, it is sufficient to explain the proposal in its entirely.