The planning and development of programs is essential to any business. They aid in defining goals and determine the best path to take and allocate resources efficiently. But defining and conducting the development of programs isn’t simple. It requires careful consideration of the particular needs and expectations of the various participants. A well-planned approach can lead to an effective development plan that maximizes the impact and ensures that everyone is pleased with the outcome.
The most common tool used to guide these efforts is the logic model. This is an illustration that shows how the daily activities of a program relate to the desired outcomes. It also helps you think systematically about the way your program will work and how it will result in change for whom and when. The model is constructed from left to right and may also include arrows that show the temporal order of the steps.
The first step is to identify all the inputs that are required. The next step is to determine key activities that will use these inputs. Then, you can map the expected outputs, and ultimately the expected outcomes (both short-term and long-term). Your model should also include the impact these outcomes can have on the audience you are targeting.
Another crucial aspect of the process is to identify possible risks or obstacles your program could face. Instruments such as environmental scanning can help identify external and internal factors that could impact on the performance of your program. This is the ideal moment to assess your organization’s strengths and weaknesses. These findings will assist you in establishing strategies that can better prepare your team for your goals in the future.