Text alternative - Steps in constructing a program logic using the backcasting approach

​​​​​​​Step 1. Develop an outcomes hierarchy

​​Long-term outcomes

​What are the long-term outcomes of the program? (e.g. reduced rates of overweight and obesity)

Medium-term outcomes

What medium-term outcomes need to occur before the long-term outcomes are reached? (e.g. reduced consumption of energy dense food)

Short-term outcomes

What short-term outcomes are required in order to achieve the medium-term outcomes? (e.g. increased healthier choices in food outlets)

Step 2. Identify the deliverables

Outputs

What products and services need to be delivered to achieve the short-term impacts? (e.g. fact sheets distributed, food outlet managers attend training, dietitian provides proactive and reactive support)

Activities

What activities need to be undertaken to deliver the outputs? (e.g. develop fact sheets, develop and promote training for food outlet managers, enlist dietitian support)

Inputs

What resources are needed to conduct the activities? (e.g. staff, funding, partnerships)

​​​​Step 3. Identify assumptions

• What assumptions are made about the link between medium and long-term outcomes? Are these assumptions supported by evidence?
• What assumptions are made about the link between short and medium-term outcomes? Are these assumptions supported by evidence?
• What assumptions are made about the link between outputs and short-term outcomes? Are these assumptions supported by evidence?
• What assumptions are made about the link between activities and outputs? Are these assumptions supported by evidence?
• What assumptions are made about the link between inputs and activities? Are these assumptions supported by evidence?

Adapted from:  National Centre for Sustainability. Evaluation Toolbox: Program Logic. Swinburne University of Technology . Examples adapted from Wiggers J, Wolfenden L, Campbell E, Gillham K, Bell C, Sutherland R, et al. Good for Kids, Good for Life, 2006- 2010: Evaluation Report. Sydney: NSW Ministry of Health; 2013.