The Government Performance Logic Model
 As the nation's largest think tank dedicated exclusively to government performance, the Performance Institute works with government agencies to develop and use meaningful performance measures for nearly every operational function and every mission area in government.
Through its work, the Institute has defined and refined a proven methodology for measuring government performance: The Logic Model.
Applying the Logic Model approach to developing performance measures in government is a scaleable process. Instead of implementing the approach agency-wide from the beginning, many agencies start out with a specific program, budget justification, or performance-based contracting challenge.
What is the Logic Model?
The Logic Model is a framework for planning, managing, measuring and evaluating government programs. Using a goal-measure approach, it illustrates the cause-effect linkages between program activities and outcome results. A Logic Model is developed for each program within an agency, providing measures for use in employee evaluations, IT management, program evaluation, budget justification and contracting.
How is a Logic Model Developed for my Program?
Institute performance measurement facilitators lead your program staff through the development of a logic model while program staff drive the development and selection of the performance measures. This participatory approach has won praise from employees, managers, stakeholders and elected leaders for keeping performance measurement simple and meaningful-while simultaneously providing a framework for making substantial program performance improvements.
How Long Does it Take to Complete the Logic Model?
Most Logic Model sessions require one to two days- depending on the complexity of the agency program and the intended use of the performance measures. Because the Institute's facilitation approach emphasizes internal capacity-building, the agency can continue refining its Logic Model outside of the Institute's facilitated Logic Model sessions.
What Deliverables Will My Agency Receive?
Deliverables will differ based upon the approach requested by individual agencies, but each Logic Model session ends with at least a list of performance measures for use by the program managers. Additionally, some Logic Model sessions also provide drafts of key agency documents such as statements of work, budget justifications, IT capital plans, employee evaluation templates, etc.
Is the Logic Model Compatible with Other Measurement Approaches?
Absolutely. The Logic Model is fully compatible with any other measurement approach, including the Balanced Scorecard. The Logic Model provides the structure and linkage where other measurement methodologies do not.and in doing so provides for the integration of program management, budgeting, technology, acquisition and human resources into one management system.
Who Else is Using the Logic Model Approach?
The Logic Model has emerged as the preferred approach to developing performance measures in government. It has been used for years in the professional evaluation community, as well as referenced by the Office of Management and Budget and National Academy of Public Administration. Numerous federal, state and local agencies have adopted the Logic Model as their official planning and measurement approach.
Applying the Logic Model to Your Agency's Challenges
While the Logic Model has been used to devise implementation strategies and performance measures for myriad government management challenges, four applications of the Logic Model have been the most popular. Each Logic Model session begins with comprehensive training for program participants in the fundamentals of performance measurement. Then, specific application training is provided to bridge performance measurement with the management challenge being addressed by program participants.
Performance-Based Budgeting |
The PBB Logic Model session provides a concrete approach to linking resources to results through performance budgeting. This session begins with a review of federal (or state/local) guidance for performance budgeting, as well as examples from several programs. Then, participants work through the logic model defining outcomes, intermediate outcomes for program strategies, and program outputs. In some sessions, managers are asked to select work processes to which they "cost" their activities using an approach similar to Activity-Based Costing. The result is the alignment of performance and costs of a program in a formal budget justification. |
Typical PBB Deliverables:
. Program Performance Measurements
. Performance Justification for the Budget
. Self Assessment Score from OMB's Program Assessment Rating Tool - PART
. Activity-Based Costing Work Processes for Program Cost Alignment to Results |
Performance-Based Consulting |
During this session, the PBC Logic Model is used to link contracting and acquisition functions to program results. This session begins with training on the "7 Steps for Creating Performance-Based Contracts" developed by a consortium of federal agencies. Then participants are asked to either work on their own contracts or use a case study contract to develop a performance-based Statement of Work or Statement of Objective. Participants are also assisted in selecting what performance measures to use in the solicitation and the contract vehicle and how to structure contract incentives. |
Typical PBC Deliverables:
. Statement of Work
. Statement of Objective
. Performance Measurements Linking Contract to Program Results
. Worksheet Applying Incentives to Contract Vehicle |
Human Resources Management |
Workforce assessments, human capital plans, recruitment and retention, and employee evaluation initiatives all depend on aligning workforce capacities to mission results. The HRM Logic Model session address all four of these aspects of effective human resource management in government. Participants evaluate strategies and goals of programs to determine necessary skill sets and workforce competencies. Measures for recruitment and retention are applied to implement the human capital plan. In some sessions, participants create actual employee performance contracts. |
Typical HRM Deliverables:
. HR Performance Measures
. SES/Executive Performance Plans
. Employee Performance Evaluation Plans
. Human Capital Plans
. Data Blueprint for Workforce Analysis |
Information Technology/e-Government |
Information technology is an important, but expensive tool used to deliver mission results. The IT/e-Gov Logic Model session begins with training on an IT Capital Planning and Measurement framework developed through agency surveys, GAO, OMB and CIO Council efforts. Then the session turns to a specific IT investment initiative or contract for the development of performance measures aligned to program results. In some sessions, participants work through an actual OMB Exhibit 300 or performance-based IT contract model. |
Typical IT/e-Gov Deliverables:
. e-Gov Performance Measures
. IT Performance Standards
. IT Capital Plan
. Budget/OMB Exhibit 300 Justification |
Benefits of Scheduling a Logic Model Session
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Customized: Logic Model sessions are devised with specific agency needs in mind, to provide a tailored solution |
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Outcome-Oriented: Hands down, the Logic Model is the best approach for starting with end outcomes and aligning back to program activities |
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Streamlined: Sessions deliver results in one, two or at most three days' time |
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Capacity-Building: Participants are trained in the methodology so they can apply it to other measurement challenges |
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Cost-Effective: Sessions are billed under training agreements with agencies providing the most costeffective vehicle |
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Scaleable: The Logic Model session can be "tested" in one program area or management challenge |
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Simplified: Performance measures are limited to the vital few that inform key management decision making |
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On-Target: Institute approaches are cutting edge and in line with federal, state and local guidance on performance management |
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