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

  • Economic growth and employment
  • Increased wellbeing and greater social connectedness
  • More children and young people achieving their learning potential
  • Higher skills levels and increased social mobility

Intermediate outcomes

  • Improved educational attainment amongst children and young people
  • More people accessing lifelong learning
  • Increased awareness and participation in local decision making
  • More older people participating in mentally stimulating activities
  • Improved understanding of place, local heritage and identity

Service outcomes

  • Increased use of the archive as a learning resources by children and young people
  • More people gaining new knowledge, qualifications and skills through archives
  • More people accessing information about local decision making
  • More people volunteering and involved in community life through archives
  • More people continuing/taking up learning later in life

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

  • Training, employment and mentoring schemes
  • Support for research activity
  • Support for community groups
  • Volunteering opportunities
  • Facilities and information provision
  • Management, conservation and preservation of collections
  • Development and outreach work
  • Events, sessions and clubs

Service outcomes

  • More people gaining new knowledge, qualifications and skills through archives
  • More people continuing/taking up learning later in life
  • More people volunteering and involved in community life through archives
  • More people accessing information about local decision making
  • Increased use of the archive as a learning resource by children and young people

Benefits

  • Increased knowledge, skills and qualifications
  • Increased confidence, self-esteem, personal responsibility and resilience
  • Increased social interaction, new relationships and role models
  • Improved understanding of local services and community issues
  • Improved speech, language and communication skills

Intermediate outcomes

  • More people accessing lifelong learning
  • More older people participating in mentally stimulating activities
  • Improved understanding of place, local heritage and identity
  • Increased awareness and participation in local decision making
  • Improved educational attainment among children and young people

Overarching strategic outcomes

  • Economic growth and employment
  • Higher skill levels and increased social mobility
  • Increased wellbeing and greater social connectedness
  • More children and young people achieving their learning potenial

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