Right-to-Left Development

A main step in developing a logic model is to decide which approach to use. The different development stages (e.g., planning, implementation, or maintenance) should lead to one of two approaches to creating the model: right-to-left or left-to-right.

Left-to-right development

This approach is also called forward logic. It may be used to evaluate a program in the implementation or maintenance stage that does not already have a logic model. It starts by articulating the program inputs and activities. To move to the right in the model, ask the question, "Why?" Think of this approach as an "If ..., then ..." progression.

Right-to-left development

This approach, also called reverse logic, starts with desired outcomes and requiresworking backwards to develop activities and inputs. Usually used in the planningstage, this approach ensures that program activities will logically lead to the specifiedoutcomes if the arrow bridges are well founded. Ask the question, "How?" whenmoving to the left in the logic model. This approach also is helpful for a program inthe implementation stage that still has some flexibility in its program activities.