In the Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud (NPC) environment, particularly when configuring Outcome Management, understanding the components of a Logic Model or Theory of Change is fundamental. These frameworks help a nonprofit map out how their internal activities lead to the social impact they desire to achieve.
A standard Logic Model consists of five core elements:
Inputs: The resources invested, such as staff time, funding, or equipment.
Activities: The actual programs or services provided (e.g., "Hosting a job training workshop").
Outputs: These are the direct, measurable products of the activities. For example, if the activity is a workshop, the output might be "20 participants attended" or "100 hours of training delivered."
Outcomes: These are the specific changes in behavior, knowledge, or status (e.g., "15 participants gained new technical skills").
Impact: The long-term, systemic change (e.g., "Reduced unemployment in the local community").
When a consultant sets up Outcome Management, they translate these conceptual elements into Salesforce records. Outputs are often tracked as Indicator Results derived from Benefit Disbursements. While a "Budget" (Option B) is a necessary operational resource (Input), it is not considered a structural element of the "logic" chain itself in the same way an Output is. "Progress" (Option C) is a state of being or a reportable metric, but it is not a defined structural component of the Theory of Change methodology. By focusing on Outputs, consultants can help organizations verify that their activities are happening as planned, providing the necessary data foundation to eventually measure higher-level Outcomes and Impact.
