Quality Checklist - Build a Logical Framework (Logframe) for Your Project

Quality Philosophy

Strong Logframes balance professional standards with community authenticity—neither generic templates nor community wishes alone create competitive proposals. This checklist ensures both.

graph TD
    %% ========================================
    %% START
    %% ========================================
    START["🧪 TEST YOUR LOGFRAME QUALITY"]

    %% ========================================
    %% QUESTION 1: VERTICAL LOGIC
    %% ========================================
    Q1["❓ VERTICAL LOGIC TEST<br/>Does if-then chain work?<br/>Activities→Outputs→Purpose→Goal"]

    PASS1["✅ PASS<br/>Logic sound"]
    FAIL1["❌ FAIL<br/>Gaps in logic"]
    FIX1["🔧 FIX<br/>Strengthen connections"]

    %% ========================================
    %% QUESTION 2: HORIZONTAL LOGIC
    %% ========================================
    Q2["❓ HORIZONTAL LOGIC TEST<br/>Do indicators measure objectives?<br/>Are verification methods valid?"]

    PASS2["✅ PASS<br/>Measurement valid"]
    FAIL2["❌ FAIL<br/>Indicators don't measure"]
    FIX2["🔧 FIX<br/>Refine indicators"]

    %% ========================================
    %% QUESTION 3: COMMUNITY LOGIC
    %% ========================================
    Q3["❓ COMMUNITY LOGIC TEST<br/>Reflects stakeholder priorities?<br/>Module 1 foundation integrated?"]

    PASS3["✅ PASS<br/>Community-grounded"]
    FAIL3["❌ FAIL<br/>Lost community voice"]
    FIX3["🔧 FIX<br/>Revalidate with stakeholders"]

    %% ========================================
    %% QUESTION 4: IMPLEMENTATION LOGIC
    %% ========================================
    Q4["❓ IMPLEMENTATION LOGIC TEST<br/>Realistic with resources?<br/>Scope achievable?"]

    STRONG["💪 STRONG LOGFRAME<br/>Ready for implementation"]
    FAIL4["❌ FAIL<br/>Overambitious"]
    FIX4["🔧 FIX<br/>Adjust scope/resources"]

    %% ========================================
    %% RELATIONSHIPS
    %% ========================================
    START --> Q1

    Q1 --> PASS1
    Q1 --> FAIL1
    FAIL1 --> FIX1
    FIX1 --> Q1

    PASS1 --> Q2
    Q2 --> PASS2
    Q2 --> FAIL2
    FAIL2 --> FIX2
    FIX2 --> Q2

    PASS2 --> Q3
    Q3 --> PASS3
    Q3 --> FAIL3
    FAIL3 --> FIX3
    FIX3 --> Q3

    PASS3 --> Q4
    Q4 --> STRONG
    Q4 --> FAIL4
    FAIL4 --> FIX4
    FIX4 --> Q4

    %% ========================================
    %% FESTA DESIGN SYSTEM COLORS
    %% ========================================

    %% Start - Gray
    style START fill:#6B7280,stroke:#4B5563,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff,font-weight:bold

    %% Questions - Pot of Gold
    style Q1 fill:#F59E0B,stroke:#D97706,stroke-width:3px,color:#1F2937,font-weight:bold
    style Q2 fill:#F59E0B,stroke:#D97706,stroke-width:3px,color:#1F2937,font-weight:bold
    style Q3 fill:#F59E0B,stroke:#D97706,stroke-width:3px,color:#1F2937,font-weight:bold
    style Q4 fill:#F59E0B,stroke:#D97706,stroke-width:3px,color:#1F2937,font-weight:bold

    %% Pass - Leaf
    style PASS1 fill:#72B043,stroke:#5A8F36,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff,font-weight:bold
    style PASS2 fill:#72B043,stroke:#5A8F36,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff,font-weight:bold
    style PASS3 fill:#72B043,stroke:#5A8F36,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff,font-weight:bold

    %% Fail - Chicken Comb
    style FAIL1 fill:#E12729,stroke:#B91C1C,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff,font-weight:bold
    style FAIL2 fill:#E12729,stroke:#B91C1C,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff,font-weight:bold
    style FAIL3 fill:#E12729,stroke:#B91C1C,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff,font-weight:bold
    style FAIL4 fill:#E12729,stroke:#B91C1C,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff,font-weight:bold

    %% Fix - Apocalyptic Orange
    style FIX1 fill:#F37324,stroke:#E05C1B,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff,font-weight:bold
    style FIX2 fill:#F37324,stroke:#E05C1B,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff,font-weight:bold
    style FIX3 fill:#F37324,stroke:#E05C1B,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff,font-weight:bold
    style FIX4 fill:#F37324,stroke:#E05C1B,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff,font-weight:bold

    %% Strong - Pepper Green
    style STRONG fill:#10B981,stroke:#059669,stroke-width:4px,color:#fff,font-weight:bold

Key Insight

Four essential quality tests. Vertical logic: if-then chain must be valid. Horizontal logic: indicators must measure objectives accurately. Community logic: framework must reflect stakeholder priorities from Module 1. Implementation logic: scope must be realistic for available resources. Each failure requires fixing and retesting—don't settle for weak logic.

Four Quality Dimensions

Assess your Logframe across these interconnected quality dimensions:

1. Foundation Utilization

Does your Logframe systematically integrate all Module 1 work?

2. Community Grounding

Does your framework preserve stakeholder voice and priorities?

3. Professional Standards

Does your Logframe meet technical requirements funders expect?

4. Implementation Readiness

Does your framework provide clear foundation for Lessons 2.2-2.4?

Dimension 1: Foundation Utilization Quality

Verify that your Logframe systematically integrates all Module 1 analytical work:

Integration Checklist

Problem Tree root causes clearly inform activity focus areas
Each major activity should address specific root causes identified with (E) or (A) classification in Lesson 1.1 (E)/(A) classification system guides indicator confidence levels
Evidence-based elements have stronger targets; assumed elements have monitoring to test assumptions during implementation Stakeholder mapping influences monitoring and verification approaches
Data collection methods leverage relationships from Lesson 1.2; verification assigns roles based on power-interest positioning Affinity analysis themes prioritize which changes to measure most rigorously
Community priorities from Lesson 1.3 have more detailed indicators; indicators reflect community language and values Theory of Change logic maintains coherence through Logframe translation
Can trace direct line from Lesson 1.4 Theory of Change elements to corresponding Logframe levels without logical breaks

Self-Assessment Tip

For each checked item, be able to articulate specific examples. "Problem Tree informs activities" should mean you can point to root cause X that directly informs activity Y.

Dimension 2: Community Grounding Preservation

Ensure your Logframe authentically reflects stakeholder voice and priorities:

Community Authenticity Checklist

Indicators reflect community definitions of success and positive change
Success measures align with what stakeholders said mattered most, not just what's easy to measure or funders typically require Verification methods build on existing stakeholder relationships
Data collection leverages trust built through engagement rather than extractive "parachute research" approaches Success measures align with community priorities from affinity analysis
Most rigorous measurement focuses on themes stakeholders emphasized as most important, not just convenient metrics Cultural context and local values are evident throughout framework
Objectives and indicators reflect local understanding of change, timing, and what constitutes appropriate intervention Community voice and language are preserved in objective statements
While professionally written, objectives use terms stakeholders recognize and can explain to their communities

Community Grounding Test

The "Stakeholder Recognition" Test: If you showed this Logframe to key stakeholders from your engagement work (without your explanation), would they recognize their input, priorities, and vision? If not, community grounding may have been lost during operationalization.

Dimension 3: Professional Quality Standards

Verify your Logframe meets technical requirements funders and evaluators expect:

Professional Standards Checklist

Logframe structure meets standard format requirements
Uses hierarchy: Goal → Purpose → Outputs → Activities with Indicators, Means of Verification, and Assumptions columns Indicators meet SMART criteria while reflecting stakeholder priorities
Each indicator is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—enhanced with community context Assumptions are explicit, testable, and informed by community insights
Critical assumptions identified during engagement are operationalized with monitoring and mitigation plans Verification methods balance rigor with feasibility and cultural appropriateness
Data collection approaches are methodologically sound yet realistic for your context and budget Complete framework demonstrates analytical sophistication and validation
Framework shows systematic analysis, evidence-based decisions, and genuine community engagement—not generic template

Logic Testing Standards

Conduct these four essential logic tests:

Logic Test	Pass Criteria
Vertical Logic	Reading bottom-up: "If we do these activities, we will produce these outputs. If we produce these outputs, we will achieve this purpose. If we achieve this purpose, we contribute to this goal." Each level logically causes the next.
Horizontal Logic	For each objective level, indicators actually measure achievement of that objective. Someone tracking these indicators would know if you achieved the stated goal/purpose/output/activity.
Community Logic	Framework reflects community priorities, definitions of success, and cultural understanding of change. Stakeholders would recognize their input and endorse the logic.
Implementation Logic	Framework is realistic given available resources, capacity, and timeframe. You can actually deliver what you're promising to measure.

Dimension 4: Implementation Readiness

Ensure your Logframe provides clear foundation for remaining Module 2 work:

Readiness Checklist

Activities are specific enough to guide detailed planning (Lesson 2.2)
Each activity can be broken into tasks with timelines, responsibilities, and resource requirements Indicators provide foundation for systematic monitoring and adaptive management
Clear what data to collect, when, from whom—enabling course correction during implementation Community relationships are positioned to support ongoing implementation
Stakeholders understand their roles in activity implementation and indicator tracking Framework provides compelling foundation for proposal writing (Lesson 2.3)
Clear narrative emerges: problem identified → stakeholders engaged → change logic developed → operational framework created Resource implications are clear for budget development (Lesson 2.4)
Activities and verification methods have obvious resource requirements you can quantify and justify

Common Integration Pitfalls to Avoid

Watch for these frequent mistakes that undermine Logframe quality:

❌ Pitfall Category 1: Foundation Work Abandonment

Creating new logic that ignores Problem Tree analysis: "We analyzed root causes, then designed activities based on generic best practices instead"
Developing indicators that don't reflect community priorities: "We measured what's easy to measure, not what stakeholders said mattered most"
Using generic assumptions instead of stakeholder-informed risk management: "We listed standard assumptions without converting Theory of Change insights to risk monitoring"
Adopting standard logframe language that erases community voice: "Our Logframe could apply to any project anywhere—nothing specific to our community emerged"

❌ Pitfall Category 2: Community Grounding Loss

Prioritizing funder preferences over community validation: "We changed indicators after stakeholder validation because we thought funders wanted different metrics"
Using technical language community partners can't understand or engage with: "Our stakeholders can't explain the Logframe to their communities because the terminology is too specialized"
Designing verification methods that extract data without reciprocal community benefit: "Our M&E plan serves our reporting needs but provides no value to the community"
Making assumptions about community capacity or preferences without consultation: "We assumed certain activities were culturally appropriate without validating with stakeholders"

❌ Pitfall Category 3: Logical Inconsistency

Breaking the Theory of Change to Logframe translation without community input: "Our Logframe Goal doesn't match our Theory of Change Impact because we changed it during operationalization"
Creating indicators that don't actually measure stated objectives: "Our Purpose indicator tracks participation, not the actual change in wellbeing we stated as the purpose"
Developing verification methods too complex or expensive for realistic implementation: "Our M&E plan would consume 40% of project budget, clearly infeasible"
Ignoring assumptions that community identified as critical during engagement: "Stakeholders emphasized government support as essential, but we didn't include it in assumptions column"

Pitfall Recovery

If you recognize any of these pitfalls in your Logframe, revisit the relevant Module 1 lesson or Lesson 2.1 section to strengthen that dimension. Better to refine now than submit a weak framework.

Quality Self-Assessment Scoring

Evaluate your overall Logframe quality across all four dimensions:

Scoring Guide

STRONG (18-20 criteria met)

Your Logframe demonstrates systematic integration, authentic community grounding, professional rigor, and implementation readiness. You have competitive advantage for funding and strong foundation for Lessons 2.2-2.4.

DEVELOPING (14-17 criteria met)

Your Logframe has solid foundation but gaps in integration or community grounding. Review unchecked criteria and strengthen before community validation. Consult relevant Lesson 2.1 sections or Module 1 materials.

NEEDS STRENGTHENING (10-13 criteria met)

Your Logframe requires significant revision before stakeholder validation or proposal use. Identify specific gap areas and revisit foundation work. Consider scheduling mentor/consultant review.

REQUIRES MAJOR REVISION (<10 criteria met)

Your Logframe doesn't yet meet minimum quality standards. Return to Module 1 foundation work to ensure systematic analysis before attempting Logframe development. Integration cannot be rushed.

Next Step

Once your Logframe meets quality standards across all four dimensions, explore the Examples page to see complete Nigeria Youth Livelihood Logframe showing full integration of Module 1 through Lesson 2.1.

Quality Assessment Checklist