Over the past decade, the theory of change (ToC) becomes a popular tool among development organizations, which require their business development people to be knowledgeable and proficient at it. It appears that the choice has been made between the theory of change and the logical framework approach (logframe), a tool used for many decades.
Despite that tendency, the two approaches confuse people, wondering the difference between them because they see similarities, even use the terms interchangeably. I am not the first, probably not the last, to write about the theory of change versus the logical framework. I won’t do a comprehensive analysis about the difference between the two, but I wanted to share my views about them.
Development professionals, especially project designers and monitoring and evaluation professionals, face the complexity of development issues. One problem might be specific to one sector, but they have to consider and address multiple sectoral factors to solve that problem. In other words, a development problem should not be taken isolated, out of its context, to ensure sustainable solutions. Theory of change provides this big picture approach. Making that change happen requires a holistic, often a multisectoral approach.
Did I imply that a logframe is not a holistic approach? How do I consider the problem analysis, a holistic approach and a step of the logical framework?
The short answer is I didn’t. That is part of the confusion between the theory of change and the logical framework. Both approaches use the causal pathways, but the level of analysis is not the same. The development of the ToC begins with the desired long-term goals and identifies all possible pathways to achieve those goals. It shows the overall, the complexity, and the multisectoral components of the program, particularly its different shapes.
On the other hand, the logframe considers one specific component and looks at the details. Usually, the problem analysis establishes the cause-and-effect relationships which result in, and flow from, the problem. The analysis at this level shows and demonstrates the holistic approach of the logical framework. In addition, a matrix illustrates it, the logframe matrix, and shows the logic of its intervention, which is the contrary of the different shapes of the ToC. The outcomes presented in the logframe matrix contribute to the ultimate goals described in the ToC. Therefore, several logical frameworks can be designed to reflect the different components or outcomes of the theory of change.
To conclude, the theory of change is a crucial approach for programming and policy making. It shows the different pathways to make change happen, which is a long-term goal. Each outcome of the theory of change can be a source of projects, which have separate logframes. To be precise, several logical frameworks can be developed from one theory of change. Finally, the logframe remains the preferred tool for the project design and monitoring and evaluation.