A few things to consider when developing a new initiative.

1. Project Scope/Planning 101:
A few things to consider when
developing a new initiative.
Mario R. Gravelle
Learning & Innovation Analyst

2. Project Scope/Planning 101
Identifying a need: Can you show that a problem exists and
prove that a new intervention is needed?
How can you ensure that your project will be effective?
What makes your project efficient?
What are project deal-breakers and deal-makers?
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3. Identifying a Need
Two steps that show your project is required…
STEP ONE: Using the right approach to demonstrate that a problem needs to be addressed.
“Verbal and physical violence in high schools is an ever increasing problem. According to the provincial
government, each high school experiences at least three acts of violence (student on student and/or student on
staff) per day. This number has doubled in the past ten years. (Provincial Government, Report on High School
Violence. 2011)”
“Acts of violence in high schools affect student learnings outcomes in two ways: First, systemic violence in
high schools is very disruptive to the student body. Second, disciplinary measures force the perpetrators to miss
important classroom time. Violent incidences also impacts staff career outcomes as it leads to poor workplace
conditions. It is important to note that violence in high schools has an impact outside of the school setting as
expenses incurred to prevent/come to terms with violent incidences (policing; disciplining offenders; and HR
costs) are shouldered by the taxpayer. The funds to pay for these unnecessary expenditures could certainly be
used in other places.”
STEP TWO: Making a case for yourself by confirming that nothing is in place to address the issue or what is in
place is not effectively addressing the issue.
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4. Effectiveness
Using a Theory of Change to test/prove that your intervention will work.
A Theory of Change expresses the underlying theories/beliefs that guide a service
delivery strategy and are assumed to be critical for producing change and improvement.
A Theory of Change can be captured in a series of IF-THEN statements: If something is
done with or for project participants, then something should change.
Case Study: Improving student learning and staff career outcomes by decreasing violence
in high schools.
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5. Theory of Change:
Improving Learning and Career Outcomes
IF resources are available, THEN a IF a target group’s support network
program can provide a certain set of (family, friends, colleagues, supervisors) takes
activities or services to participants. part in activities or receive services, THEN the
target group is more likely to experience specific
changes in their knowledge, attitudes or skills.
In this case, IF we have the right
resources (funding, staff, knowledge
and infrastructure), THEN we can In this case, IF facilitators provide conflict
provide activities to limit violence intervention strategy training to staff and
which is a factor that influences caregivers, THEN students will be supported in
learning and career outcomes. choosing to resolve conflicts peacefully.
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IF participants take part in activities or IF individuals change their
receive services, THEN they experience knowledge, attitudes or skills, THEN they
specific changes in their will change their behavior and usual
knowledge, attitudes or skills. practice.
In this case, IF facilitators provide In this case, IF students/staff/caregivers
nonviolent conflict management strategy gain knowledge about how to avoid
training to students, THEN these students and/or defuse violent
will develop nonviolent conflict confrontations, THEN fewer incidences of
management skills. violence
will occur in schools.
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6. Effectiveness
A Logic Model Diagram illustrates the connection between the theories that underscore your project
and what you intend to provide that will lead to the outcomes you want to occur.
Terminology:
-Inputs/Resources (financial, human, knowledge and infrastructure)
-Outputs (activities and services)
-Outcomes/Impacts (changes in knowledge, attitudes or skills leading to changes in behavior
and usual practice)
A Logic Model Diagram acts as a drawing that shows how one component of an initiative leads to the next.
INPUTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES
Case Study: Improving student learning and staff career outcomes by decreasing violence in high schools.
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7. Logic Model:
Improving Learning and Career Outcomes
Inputs/Resources Outputs Outcomes/Impacts
Short-Term Long-Term
Financial:
$81,500 Grant from The Counselling Conflict Management
Foundation of Canada Sessions offered to 600 Students use nonviolent conflict
$40,000 Grant from XYZ students in three high schools. management approach instead of
Community Foundation
violence: Decrease in student
$48,500 In-kind from ACME Inc.
punishment; increase in student Better student
Situation: academic performance; and better learning outcomes
Human Resources: Conflict Intervention Sessions
Verbal and working conditions for school staff. (higher graduation
offered to 200 caregivers and
physical Program Manager rates and access to
Program Assistant 100 staff members from three
violence in Restorative Justice Trainer high schools. post-secondary
Staff and caregivers use
high schools Three staff members from each high
nonviolent conflict management
education)
school and a representative from the
affects Big City School Board approaches to prevent violent
student incidences: Decrease in student
Restorative Justice
learning and Certification provided to the punishment; increase in student
Knowledge:
staff career Program Manager and one academic performance; and better
Conflict Management and Conflict
outcomes. Intervention strategies
staff member from each of working conditions for school staff. Improved staff
Restorative Justice Model
the respective high schools. career outcomes
(decrease in staff
Students and staff use Restorative
burnout and
Infrastructure: Justice Model to find appropriate
Implementation of turnover)
Meeting space at the schools resolutions to conflicts: Decrease
Technology at the three high schools Restorative Justice Model in in incidences of violence at school;
(overhead projectors and screens) three high schools. increase in student academic
Conflict Management, Conflict
performance; and better working
Intervention and Restorative Justice
materials conditions for school staff.
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8. Efficiency
Are your proposed activities required and realizable?
Are your timelines realistic?
Is your budget reasonable?
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9. Deal-breakers and deal-makers
How do you intend to stay in business?
Spreading the wealth through replication
The added value of ensuring a project’s intellectual legacy
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10. Resources
Theory of Change and Logic Model
Andrea Anderson, The Community Builder’s Approach to Theory of Change:
A practical guide to theory and development.
Julia Coffman, Learning From Logic Models: An Example
of a Family/School Partnership Program.
University of Wisconsin, Enhancing Program Performance with Logic Models.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Logic Model Development Guide.
Professional Development and Other Links
American Evaluation Association
Canadian Evaluation Society
Innovation Network
The Community Tool Box
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