4.1. Logframe for the research project level
4.2. Logframe for the centre level
4.3. Logframe for the system level
In order to ensure that logframes of different centres and at different levels fit together, it is crucial that the concepts and definitions of the various elements are used in a consistent and standardised manner. This means that an "output" always refers to a tangible/intangible result, a "purpose" to the utilisation of such results by recipients outside the direct management control, and so on. Differences between the logframes at the various levels refer only to the number of and the degree of details contained in the cells. To repeat, within the CGIAR, strategic planning using the logframe approach will be required at least at three different levels:
· A logframe for the CGIAR system as a whole specifies the overall orientation, priorities and strategy.· Logframes for individual centres describe their role within the CGIAR system
· Logframes for individual research projects provide the basis for detailed planning of operations.
In addition, separate logframes might be helpful for larger research programmes combining several research projects within one centre or for the combined efforts of various centres within regional or global initiatives.
The focus of the respective logframe and the planning parameters which it contains depend on the primary management function at the corresponding level. Thus:
· Logframes at project level will mainly guide the implementation of the activities of a particular project and the monitoring of project achievements.· At centre level, a logframe will also serve to co-ordinate projects/programmes and specify general management functions (e.g., fund raising, personnel development, etc.).
· For the CGIAR system as a whole the logframe will summarise general priorities of the research agenda and thus add to transparency and credibility, support monitoring, and sharpen decision making.
While a number of centres have used a logframe approach to varying degrees and with slightly different approaches as a tool for planning their research agenda, the first systematic approach to apply logframe concepts has been undertaken for the CGIAR system level. This resulted in the present CGIAR system logframe (see annex). For the centre and project level more detailed logframes are required which fit into the overall frame set by the CGIAR systems logframe. At the same time they themselves will function as an input into the adjustment and updating of the CGIAR strategy and the system logframe. Neither the system logframe nor the project logframes can be considered as strictly independent variables to which the other levels have to adopt. Instead, the relation between the different levels could be envisaged as a system of communicating tubes which ensures a "trickle down" and a "trickle up" of adjustments made at either level.
Comparison of System, Centre, and Project Logframes
|
Element within Logframe |
CGIAR System |
Centre |
Project |
|
Goal |
Overall CGIAR objectives |
Summary of centre contribution to achievement of CGIAR goals |
Not included |
|
Intermediate Goal |
Generic statement of direct benefits resulting form CGIAR research |
Narrative summary of "impact pathway"; specification of beneficiaries and type of benefit with consequences for near and future productivity as well as the sustainable management of natural resources | |
|
Purpose |
Generic statement of utilisation of CGIAR research outputs |
Specification of utilisation of project/centre outputs, relation to centre/CGIAR systems purposes outlined | |
|
Outputs |
Generic statement of CGIAR research outputs |
Aggregation of project outputs according to system level outputs; (optional: special management output) |
Specific contribution of project outputs to one or more of centre/CGIAR outputs |
|
Activities |
Not included |
Not included, except for activities of additional management output |
Major activities listed for each project output |
|
Indicators |
Presently: Only generic indicators |
Aggregated indicators including specification of quantity, quality, time and location; |
Precise indicators with respect to quantity, quality, time and location; Indication for Intermediate Goal |
|
Milestones |
Not included |
Not included, except for milestones referring to additional management output |
Milestones with time specific targets for each activity |
|
Assumptions |
Presently Not included |
Aggregation of project assumptions |
Specific assumptions for implementation of project |
The logframe approach has been most widely used for "projects" and most practical experiences are available for this level. Many of the ideas and of the information to be used in establishing a logframe matrix are already contained in the project descriptions which are the basis for the Mid Term Plans. In practical terms this means that centres and research staff do not have to start a totally new planning process. Rather, the task is more one of systematising, rearranging and further specifying the objectives, targets, and external conditions for a particular research project.
The CGIAR research agenda is being implemented through research projects at the centres. Therefore the logframes at this level are the most detailed and have to:
· Specify the particular contributions of individual projects to one or more of the centre outputs which, in turn, must relate to CGIAR outputs. By doing so, projects position themselves both, within the centre and within the frame set by the CGIAR system logframe;· Set measurable targets for these contributions by defining qualities, quantities, and timing for the respective indicators. This requires a selection of some of the generic indicators formulated for the CGIAR systems level and their specification according to the conditions of the project. Furthermore, additional indicators may have to be formulated in order to capture additional aspects and dimensions of the project objectives;
· Provide the basis for organising the implementation and monitoring of research projects through listing of major activities and the corresponding milestones with time specific targets in order to allow monitoring of implementation;
· Consider crucial assumptions relevant for the particular project.
It should be noted that a project logframe is generally developed in order to cover a number of activities which are meant to achieve a set of defined objectives. It may or may not fully correspond to an existing organisational unit within the centre and it may not necessarily be identical with a proposal for donor funding.
A project logframe has to be internally consistent (as described in chapter 3) in the sense that the project strategy leading from activities to outputs, purpose(s) and (intermediate) goals is plausible, realistic, and does not show any leaps. A realistic/modest formulation of impacts to be achieved will greatly enhance the credibility of project planning. At the same time, the project logframe has to document, how a particular research project fits within the overall CGIAR research agenda and how it contributes to the achievement of CGIAR objectives.
The project outputs have to relate to one or more of the five outputs of the system logframe. However, they will have to be more precise in describing the specific characteristics of the respective goods and services. For example, a project output will have to include details on the type of management practices with are made accessible, the type of species for which germplasm are collected, the content of policy analyses elaborated, the concrete recipients of additional expertise on research management, etc. The need to link project outputs to overall CGIAR objectives is not new or unique to the logframe approach. Within the present structure of the project portfolios in the MTPs, "system linkages" are to be spelled out which link the project to the CGIAR research agenda. Once a coherent set of logframes will exist for all centres and projects, the output linkages (project-centre-CGIAR) will be evident. The examples below show that a plausible relationship between project and CGIAR levels can be established even in the absence of a corresponding centre logframe 2.
2 The same holds true for the other examples linking projects to the CGIAR logframe. The examples used will be substituted or amended once a sufficient number of centre logframes have been established.
Examples for linking project outputs to outputs of CGIAR system logframe
|
Outputs in the CGIAR systems logframe |
Examples for outputs from research project logframes |
|
Output 1 Germplasm and germplasm improvement techniques for priority crops, livestock, trees and fish are enhanced and made accessible to NARS and other partners |
· Improved large seeded Andean bean germplasm with less dependence on pesticides, fertiliser and water is made available to NARS and regional networks |
|
Output 2 Germplasm of selected species and their wild relatives for priority crops, livestock, trees and fish are collected and managed, and procedures for germplasm conservation are developed and made accessible to NARS and other partners. |
· Improved PGR management strategies and technologies developed (in particular genetic diversity monitoring, use of GIS, collecting, in/ex situ conservation and complementary approaches, participatory research and gender analysis and plant health) |
|
Output 3 Management practices and research methodologies for sustainable production systems and for natural resource conservation and use are accessible to NARS and other partners. |
· Site-specific nutrient management technologies that take into account nutrient x pest interactions at greatly increased yield levels are developed and disseminated to NARS |
|
Output 4 Improved policy analyses and techniques for policy formulation and public management are accessible to NARS, policy makers and the development community |
· Policies and institutional arrangements identified that will integrate the rural poor into sustainable savings and credit systems for enhanced income generation and consumption stabilisation |
|
Output 5 Knowledge and expertise for enhancing the performance of research and related institutions are accessible to relevant users |
· Multidisciplinary and participatory approaches to natural resource management research in national systems are elaborated and institutionalised with NARS |
For the project purposes an linkage is required which shows how particular NARS and/or political decision makers utilise the respective outputs in for implementing improved policies or achieving an improved performance.
Examples for linking project purposes to purposes of CGIAR system logframe
|
Purposes in the CGIAR system logframe |
Examples for purposes from research project logframes |
|
Purpose 1 NARS develop improved production systems which will effectively raise productivity while conserving biodiversity, land and water |
· Partner institutions in the reference sites in Latin America design and execute successfully rural agro-enterprise projects that integrate management approaches and post harvest technologies with environmentally sound production and processing practices |
|
Purpose 2 Performance of NARS and regional programmes is improved |
· National and international research laboratories... in Africa, Latin America and Asia use improved antibody detection ELISA and DANN-based markers to effectively diagnose the impact of vector-borne diseases on productivity of livestock in different production systems |
|
Purpose 3 Improved policies involving CGIAR outputs are put into practice |
· Policy maker and extension workers apply improved decision aids and tools for land-use and nutrient management in the uplands |
The intermediate goals of the CGIAR refer to increased productivity and sustainable management of natural resources. For project logframes a consideration is required on how the utilisation of the project outputs by various actors can contribute to either of these immediate benefits. Therefore, a narrative summary of the intended "impact pathway" should elaborate the hypotheses on expected benefits.
Even if expected impacts may not be quantifiable in each case, project logframes at the intermediate goal level will have to include at least a specification of
· the group(s) who will directly benefit (e.g. women, small scale farmers, upland farmers)
· the type of benefits expected (e.g. reduced time required for particular agricultural tasks, reduced post-harvest losses, less yield fluctuations, reduced soil losses, greater production for the same or less inputs)
Examples for linking project intermediate goals to intermediate goals of CGIAR system logframe
|
Intermediate goals in the CGIAR system logframe |
Examples for intermediate goals from research project logframes |
|
Intermediate goal 1 Productivity of resources in Agriculture, fisheries and forestry is increased |
· Decreased vulnerability of livestock to diseases and improved unit productivity through protection of genetically improved livestock breeds has been realised · Reduced infestation of Striga and other parasitic plants as well as the associated crop yield losses, while simultaneously improving soil conditions |
|
Intermediate goal 2 Sustainable management of natural resources is improved |
· Commercial potential of forest products (including timber) is exploited in a sustainable and equitable way · Appropriate soil water management techniques prevent pollutants leaching to waterways that affect rice crops, flora and fauna downstream |
The goal level of the CGIAR systems logframe is linked to the intermediate goal level by a development hypothesis which is well founded in theoretical terms and through empirical evidence. Therefore, it seems sufficient to use indications only for illustrative purposes and not to insist on direct measurements. For the logframe of a particular project this means that the (ultimate) goal level will not have to be included in the form of a specific statement which outlines (and tries to measure) the particular contribution of a single project to poverty reduction, increased food security and environmental protection. Nevertheless an additional description which summarises the underlying development hypothesis and the expected (indirect) impacts of the project in a plausible and convincing form would add greatly to the credibility of the project strategy.
The centre level logframe will basically consist of an aggregation of the project logframes and thus position the centre according to its research mandate within the CGIAR overall research agenda.
For the outputs this means an aggregation of project outputs according to the classification of outputs at system level. However:
· This does not imply that each centre will have to cover each of the system level outputs.
· Individual centres will only contribute to certain aspects of a particular output at system level.
An aggregation of individual project activities into centre activities is not meaningful. A simple addition of all project activities however would mean only a repetition without additional information. Therefore, the level of activities (and corresponding milestones) need not be included in the centre logframes with the exception of those activities referring to the management output for the centre as a whole.
For the level of purpose and intermediate goal, the same considerations hold true as for the project logframe. With respect to the goal, however, a centre logframe will have to go one step further than the project logframe and outline the special contribution of the centre to the overall goals of the CGIAR system in view of its mandate.
Assumptions for the centre logframe will be an aggregation of project assumptions. In addition, external conditions crucial for the mandate of the centre as well as for its organisational set-up and general mode of operations are to be included.
In addition to implementing research projects the management of a CGIAR centre has a number of important tasks which refer to the overall co-ordination and steering of the centre as an institution within the international research network. These are crucial "goods and services" which have the character of an "input" for implementing the research projects of the centres and, hence, are a precondition for performing all other tasks.
However, these contributions are (normally) not included in the logframe of the centre because they do not directly relate to the achievement of project purposes and do not link to the system level outputs.
Nevertheless, in he context of formulating a centre logframe, careful planning and documentation of the general service function of management for the research process seems even more important in a period when:
· research projects become more and more ambitious with respect to an intra-centre multidisciplinary set-up as well as to the inter-centre collaboration requirements;· the need for an active and continuous resource mobilisation has greatly increased;
· information management rapidly becomes more important and more complex.
A possible formulation of this type of management contribution 3 as well as of generic indicators specifying crucial dimensions may read as follows:
3 Some centers even went as far as to include these contributions in the form of a separate "management output" in their logframe. In such cases it will be necessary to distinguishes it from the other outputs and to indicate the special role and function of such a "management output".
|
Example of "management contribution" associated with centre logframe |
Examples of generic indicators for management contribution |
|
Technical, organisational and financial conditions as well as staff management for effective and efficient research are provided. |
· Effective resource mobilisation (increase of % per year) · Planning documents formulated and annually reviewed in time and in participatory manner · Performance of research projects monitored and impacts evaluated. · No. Of publications documenting achievement of research projects/centre research agenda · Agreements signed specifying Co-operation with external research partners |
For the CGIAR system level a hierarchy of objectives has been defined on the basis of existing research programmes of all centres. This has been translated into the first column of a logframe matrix and has been supplemented with generic indicators.
Three tasks remain in order to complete the CGIAR system logframe and to harmonise it with logframes at the other levels.
(1) On the basis of the full set of project/centre logframes the formulation of outputs and purposes has to be reviewed in order to check whether the present formulations are comprehensive enough to encompass the research agendas of all centres.
(2) Based on the detailed project logframes, the generic indicators of the system logframe have to be reviewed and, wherever necessary, further specified. This could include the adjustment of qualitative dimensions as well as a calculation of quantitative targets for the system as a whole. Using a system logframe with refined indicators, different groupings could be undertaken according to crops, regions, target groups, etc.
(3) The system logframe does not yet include assumptions (nor indicators to monitor these assumptions) and this remains to be done. Obviously, assumptions for the system level cannot be a simple addition of project assumptions. However, many of the assumptions which refer to the external conditions under which centres operate, will probably also hold true for the CGIAR system as a whole. Other assumptions could refer to:
· The (development of the) relative role of the CGIAR within the concert of all stakeholders in agricultural research and the specific relation of the CGIAR to other players (e.g., public-private-partnerships);· National/international legal conventions influencing the availability of research results as public goods;
· The relative importance of agricultural research in relation to other development priorities;
· The relation of research to extension;
· Alternative developments to strengthen national/regional research and extension capacities.
