MONITORING & EVALUATION IN GLOBAL HEALTH
Logic Model Development: The Sticky Note
Method
Lecturer: Katy Potter
The process used to develop a program’s logic model can be as important as the logic model
itself. When developing a logic model with a group, one approach that I’ve found particularly
helpful is called “the sticky note method”. In the sticky note method, each proposed input,
activity, output, outcome, and impact gets written on a sticky note, and the notes are stuck on
a wall so everyone can see participants’ ideas.
If you don’t have sticky notes available, that’s no problem, you can use notecards or other
pieces of paper and affix tape to the back. The idea is you want to be able to move the pieces of
paper around easily on a wall or whiteboard.
So why use an approach like this with a group, as opposed to, say, drafting a logic model on flip
chart paper, or in PowerPoint? Well, there are several reasons!
One is that developing a logic model is a very iterative process. It’s common to circle back
many times to make changes to ideas, so the use of sticky notes can be more effective than
using a static drawing or image when you’re working with a group of people.
Additionally, it allows participants to do hands-on brainstorming, and to easily interact with
each piece of the logic model. Group members can move the pieces around, take pieces away,
add new pieces, see redundancies in suggestions, and consolidate ideas.
Using such a fluid approach to logic modelling can also encourage “thinking outside the box”,
as people often feel less restricted in terms of the ideas they can share.
Furthermore, the approach is relatively simple to implement. The fact that it relies more on
conversation than computer skills, means that those who lack technological capacity or access
can still participate.
Sometimes seeing and talking through the logic model while it’s displayed on a wall can give
you a different perspective, too. In my own experience, I’ve found that it has helped to ensure
the model is not overly complex, and it encourages participants to better explain their
assumptions about how the various pieces are linked.
Last but not least, this process can be fun! The sticky note approach is much more engaging
and active than reviewing a document on a computer screen, and teams often end up receiving
more meaningful feedback than when they send out a diagram via email.
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When you’re ready to get started using this method, keep the following steps in mind:
First, identify which stakeholders should participate and send them any relevant background
materials to read ahead of time. When determining the size of the group, you’ll want it to be
large enough to include key stakeholders and generate diverse ideas, but small enough to be
manageable. Don’t forget to identify a facilitator to lead the process.
Second, gather your supplies and find a suitable location to meet. For supplies, you’ll need the
following:
● Several packs of sticky notes or other pieces of paper and tape.
● Large pieces of paper with the logic model headings written on them or you can
use flip chart paper, in which case each logic model column would get its own
piece of paper. Note that you may want to break up the outcome heading into
short- and mid-term outcomes.
● You’ll also need markers or pens that will show up clearly on the paper you use.
● For your location, find a spot to meet that has a blank wall, a white board, or a
chalk board, on which you can stick the notes so they’re visible to all
participants.
Third, once you assemble your group of stakeholders, begin with an introduction to logic
models to make sure everyone is on the same page, and clarify how the process will work.
Write the program goal and problem statement somewhere they can be easily seen and hang
up your logic model headings on the wall.
Fourth, start brainstorming ideas for each element of the logic model. Provide all group
members with sticky notes and begin by gathering ideas for impacts, then outcomes, and work
backwards to flesh out the full logic model, as described in this course. Write one idea per
sticky note and place it under the appropriate heading.
Fifth, organize and troubleshoot the ideas. Discuss them, move them around, consolidate
them, check assumptions, and draw arrows or feedback loops to create “if-then” chains
between each element of the model. If you get stuck, some experts recommend sorting ideas
into groups, such as:
● “those that must be kept”
● “those that could be kept” and
● “those that are not relevant”
Aim to generate a solid draft of the logic model at this meeting. When you’re done, take a
photo of the completed draft and transfer it into a digital format.
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Sixth, conduct any necessary follow-up revisions. This might occur through email, phone calls,
or follow-up meetings, depending on what’s appropriate for the group. You might also send a
digital version out to a wider group of stakeholders for comments before finalizing.
Finally, give copies to program staff and other stakeholders. Remember to revisit the logic
model and revise as needed throughout the program’s life cycle. Typically, the process used for
follow-up revisions is suitable for mid-cycle adjustments.
One last note on this process: while I’ve talked about using it to develop logic models with a
group, you can also adopt the same process for working with a group to develop a theory of
change.
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