Introduction to the Logical Framework Approach - Stockholm ...

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Introduction to the LFAReader2.5. Limitations and RisksThere are a number of risks involved when the LFA is applied improperly. Inaddition there are a few aspects that have been criticised as conceptualweaknesses or limitations of the LFA. In the following these risks in theapplication and conceptual limitations of the LFA are summarised under threekey words: 47“Logic–less frames”:One improper use of the LFA is that often only a matrix is drawn up, and thematrix is drawn up after the project has already been designed. In this casethe LFA isn’t used to guide the whole project design process. Instead onlythe format used to summarise the findings of the LFA process is applied todescribe a pre-existing design, rather than create a logically solid one. Theresult is a “filling in the boxes – exercise”.The reasons for carrying out such “filling in the boxes – exercises” sometimesmight be lack of understanding 48 , (mistaking the matrix for the approach)or the fact that using the LFA is a requirement set out by a funding agency.Asking for the reasons why logframes have often only been used whereexternal funders demand them Des Gaspers offers the following answerhinting at one of the requirements to follow the LFA process: “Logframes areoften only used when demanded by an external authority because theyrequire a high degree of consensus about what is feasible and valuable.When this consensus is missing then only the pressure of a dominantauthority, the controller of funds, may lead to it being declared. But withoutfirst a shared analysis of a situation the result is likely to be an illogicalproject matrix.” 49 Sharing views, discussing them – coming to a commonvision of e.g. a problem situation can be a time-consuming process, and itisn’t guaranteed that a vision shared by all can be achieved. The LFA as aprocess requires the facilitation of communication as it is based onstakeholder involvement. Integrating stakeholders into the stages of a projectmay be difficult and/ or complicate, depending on a project’s environment.The LFA does not offer tools to dissolve those difficulties. If applying the LFAas an approach stakeholders form an integral part of the LFA process.Skipping the process to get easier to the “product” ignores the internallogic and philosophy of the approach. And the “product” will only be asgood as the analysis and planning process undergone beforehand has been.“logic-lessframes”47 On the basis of the criticism by: Eggers, Hellmut W., p. 71; Gasper, Des, p. 75ff., Jackson,Bill, p. 2.48 Jackson, Bill, p. 2.49 Gasper, Des, p. 76.38
Introduction to the LFA“Lack-frames”:One of the LFA’s limitations criticised is that in complex and sometimes evenrelatively simple project settings the logframe can be too simple fordescribing the project design so that important aspects are left out. Thelogframe matrix in this case is no summary of a project’s key aspects butrather a lack-frame. The logframe matrix might be complemented withadditional important information, but by doing this the idea of the matrix as aproject summary providing a rather quick overview of the most importantaspects of a project does not hold true any more.“Lock-frames”:Another risk with the application of the LFA that frequently occurs is thefreezing of analysis and planning results derived from an initial situationby leaving a logframe matrix, once it has been drawn up, as it is withoutupdating it. The result is a “lock-frame” that limits flexibility. As mentioned anumber of times during the introduction to the LFA, the logframe matrixshould always reflect changes (be it in the analysis of the project’senvironment, concerning the objectives envisioned for the project, etc.), andstay flexible.Another difficulty with applying the LFA possibly resulting in lock-framesconcerns the work in environments of great uncertainty and change. As DesGaspers writes: “A generally doomed response is to try to plan and control soeffectively that uncertainty and external changes are tamed. Lock-frame canresult: a logframe is stuck too doggedly despite becoming superseded, andthen survives later because nobody pays attention any more” 50 .With respect to single LFA tools the focus on problems during the initialsituation analysis is often criticised. First, because this entry point to analysismight be unacceptable in cultures that consider it inappropriate to discussabout problems or formulate criticism openly. Second, because the initialfocus on problems might limit the vision of potential objectives and third,because beginning with the problem analysis might not be suited to situationswhere there is a high degree of uncertainty involved or where agreementcannot be reached on the main problem. As writes Bill Jackson: “Thelogframe approach assumes the nature of the problems can be readilydetermined at the beginning of the planning process. This does not allow foran exploratory style project that seeks to learn from experience.” 51Reader“lack-frames”“lock-frames”problem focus50 Gaspers, Des, p. 76.51 Jackson, Bill, p. 2. On the criticism that LFA can restrict learning (in that it neglectsunintended and unforeseen effects and unintended routes by taking the logframe - as adescription of the intended routes for achieving intended effects - as the basis for all latermonitoring and evaluation, possibly producing a “tunnel vision”) and the neglect of valuesabout process as compared to values of products (reflected in the step wise hierarchy ofobjectives, matching “thinking from the profit sector”) also see Gaspers, Des, p. 76 f.39
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