What is the difference between a logic model and a theory of change, and how are they used in planning?

• A. A logic model is a narrative only; a theory of change is a financial plan.
• B. Both are identical and interchangeable.
• C. A logic model maps inputs to activities to outcomes; a theory of change outlines causal pathways and assumptions explaining how and why change occurs; both guide planning and evaluation.
• D. A theory of change lists resources; a logic model lists activities only.

Answer: (C)

In planning, a logic model and a theory of change play complementary roles, but they focus on different aspects of how a program creates change. A logic model is a structured map that connects what you invest (inputs) with what you do (activities), what you produce (outputs), and what you aim to achieve (short- and long-term outcomes, sometimes culminating in impact). It helps you organize the program’s components and track implementation and results in a straightforward, visually intuitive way.

A theory of change, on the other hand, goes deeper into why and how change is expected to happen. It lays out the causal pathways, the mechanisms by which activities are supposed to lead to outcomes, and the core assumptions that support those pathways. It makes explicit the reasoning behind the change process and often identifies the critical preconditions and indicators needed to test whether the change is occurring as intended.

Both are useful for planning and evaluation. The logic model provides a clear, operational map of resources, activities, and results to manage execution. The theory of change clarifies the rationale and the causal logic, guiding what evidence to collect to confirm that the intended pathways are working. The other options mischaracterize them: one is not merely a narrative or a financial plan, they are not identical, and a theory of change is not just a list of resources nor is a logic model only activities.