Focus Areas

Logic-Modeling, Products, and Clear Communication

Logic-Modeling, Products, and Clear Communication: LPC develops tools and products to help our client organizations, their constituents, and funders communicate more effectively. In addition, we understand that planning and evaluation work is only meaningful if it demonstrates clear communication during the development process.

Some of the tools we use include:

Logic-modeling: For evaluation studies conducted by LPC we draft a logic model to provide a simple framework that illustrates the integration of program implementation and the evaluation study. In most instances, we draft the logic model with the client organization or program staff, in a workshop process. We find this process to be a pillar of our approach to capacity-building because it demystifies evaluation and engages all stakeholders in the evaluation from its inception. LPC staff conduct workshops on logic model development for the Nonprofit Resource Center and other nonprofit or public agency clients, on request.

Products: We generate a variety of products, ranging from data collection tools tailored to specific study needs and requirements; to reports for funding sources; to PowerPoint presentations; to stand-alone resource documents. As reporting needs change, LPC’s formats for reporting evolve. We recognize that most client organizations do not have time to digest lengthy, comprehensive written reports. In response to the demands for “less is more” in reporting, we routinely include an executive summary for written reports; we integrate graphic presentation of key findings, and relegate dense tables to appendices or attachments for reference; we complement written reports with a summary presentation in PowerPoint; and we produce reports that are attractive in layout and formatting, at no additional expense to the client. We have adapted new and emerging technology to client reporting needs, allowing us to upgrade report quality economically and efficiently. For example, we useSurveyMonkey and Facebook for data collection among specific audiences more likely to respond to these venues. We also generate resource documents to advance the work of clients, including reports of community indicators to reflect trends over time; data collection protocols and guides to using forms and the databases we develop; and a directory of evidence-based youth programs, with references to sources and resources.

Clear Communication: Our work is about relationships, and these are dependent on our ability to communicate clearly. This means we practice active listening, and we strike a good balance between asking questions and providing input. We also exercise care to understand the client organization’s needs, clarify the funder’s reporting requirements, and aim to simplify the work of documenting process and outcome findings. LPC staff have excellent oral and written communication skills, and work very closely with client organizations to insure ongoing dialogue and collaborative problem solving. This is evident from the volume of new work with the same client organizations, or the duration of client relationships, some of which are as long as ten years.