An outcomes framework is a type of program logic, but it is often applied at the organisation level rather than at the program/ strategy level. Unlike program logic, an outcome framework restricts itself to outcomes, and does not delve into how these will be achieved. In other words it is the top level of an program logic. Outcome frameworks are great for clarifying the purpose of an organisation.

What do we mean by outcomes?

By outcome, we refer to the ‘end state’ or the thing your department or organisation really wants to achieve. This often includes some mention of expected social, environmental or economic consequences. There is some convention around how we word outcomes, we try not to include descriptions what we are hoping to do, it’s more about what we hope to achieve. There can be a whole hierarchy of outcomes leading up to a better universe!

Often ‘greater outcomes’ are already documented in an overarching departmental framework. However, if your organisation is starting with a completely blank sheet and needs to determine what the higher outcomes are, we suggest that a number of steps be conducted before hand. Depending on the nature of the program things that are usefully conducted as part of developing organisational outcomes include:

• Consultation with key stakeholders
• Consideration of public versus private good
• Conducting a needs analysis
• Conducting an audit of existing strengths
• Considering the key values that people want to preserve/restore/enhance
• Prioritisation of key values in terms of geography or topic
• Development of conceptual models to understand how threats / risks and drivers affect the key values or outcomes we wish to enhance
• Conducting a force-field analysis
• Consider what future trends and policy changes that may influence the outcomes
• Conducting a cost-benefit analysis

At Clear Horizon, we mostly find that the organisation has a reasonable idea of what the desired end-outcomes are. We mainly facilitate an exercise revisit/ refine/ clarify the end outcomes.

What does Clear Horizon offer?

Jess has a longstanding passion for facilitating the development outcomes frameworks for organisations or departments. The first outcome framework Jess facilitated was for the Department of Sustainability and Environment back in 2003. It’s on their web site if you would like to look at this link.

Rob has also facilitated several outcomes framework for regional natural resource management bodies. In this case he uses the outcome framework to depict how the programs combine together to achieve the high level resource condition outcomes.