Interactive Logic Models: Using Design and Technology to Explore the Effects of Dynamic Situations on Program Logic

Abstract

Logic models are commonly used by evaluators to illustrate relationships among a program's inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes. They are useful in helping intended users develop programs, communicate a program's theory of change, and design evaluations. However, as static documents, logic models can be challenging to build, work with, and present to stakeholders, especially for large and complex programs. Challenged by this inadequacy of static logic models, a program evaluator turned to a graphic designer and a software developer for help. Together, this interdisciplinary group developed web-based software (Dylomo) that allows evaluators to create logic models that better communicate the logic within the model. In this paper, we describe the process by which this interdisciplinary group created this new technology—including a user-testing experience at the Canadian Evaluation Society Conference in Canada in June 2016—to build and present logic models that use interactivity and allow program evaluators to more easily demonstrate the logic within a complex program and to visually explore the potential effects of changes within the program's landscape. This software is freely available on the web, so readers can apply it to their own evaluation practice.