Outcomes triangle and logic model

Outcomes triangle

The outcomes triangle gives an overview of how archives can contribute at service, intermediate and overarching strategic outcome levels.

An example of the outcomes triangle. A triangle has been horizontally divided into three segments: top is 'overarching strategic outcomes', middle is 'intermediate outcomes', and bottom is 'service outcomes'. Blank text boxes have been overlaid onto the triangle.

The outcomes triangle model

Outcomes could be:

Overarching strategic outcomes

  • Equitable and integrated communities
  • Efficient, effective and sustainable services
  • Economic growth and employment
  • More children & young people achieving their potential
  • Older people retain their independence
  • A greater sense of place and increased civic pride

Intermediate outcomes

  • Improved decision making and compliance
  • More people accessing lifelong learning
  • Wider civic and political engagement
  • Improved educational attainment amongst children and young people
  • Older people are more socially and mentally active
  • Improved understanding of cultural diversity, identity and shared heritage

Service outcomes

  • Improved access to collections and preservation of digital records
  • More people volunteering and involved in community life through archives
  • More people gaining new knowledge and skills through archives
  • Increased engagement by young people and adults facing inequalities
  • Increased efficiency and collaboration in the delivery of archive services
  • Increased satisfaction with the archives offer in the local area
  • Greater diversity of people working in archive services

Logic model

The logic model illustrates the main links between service activities and local outcomes. This example suggest broad groupings of activities, benefits archives can offer to individuals, communities and places, and how these in turn contribute to the achievement of intermediate and overarching strategic outcomes.

A blank logic model template, displaying five columns of empty fields to be filled in. The columns read (from left to right): 'Archive services and activities', 'Service outcomes', 'Benefits', 'Intermediate outcomes' and 'Overarching strategic outcomes'.

A logic model template

Outcomes could be:

Archive activities

  • Knowledge and learning/skills courses and programmes
  • Training, employment and mentoring schemes
  • Volunteering opportunities
  • Support for research activity

Service outcomes

  • More people gaining new knowledge, skills and education through archives
  • More people volunteering and involved in community life through archives
  • Greater diversity of people working in archive services

Benefits

  • Increased knowledge, skills and qualifications
  • Increased confidence, self esteem, personal responsibility and resilience
  • Increased social interaction, new relationships and role models

Intermediate outcomes

  • More people accessing lifelong learning
  • Improved understanding of cultural diversity, identity and shared heritage
  • Older people are more socially and mentally active

Overarching strategic outcomes

  • Economic growth and employment
  • Equitable and integrated communities
  • Older people retain their independence

Our section on ‘What to include’ has more information about the outcomes triangle and logic model methods

Step two of ‘Creating your framework‘ features a step by step guide to creating an outcomes triangle and logic model