What is a logic model's 'outputs' vs 'activities' distinction?

• A. Activities are what the program does; outputs are the immediate products of those activities.
• B. Outputs are what the program does; activities are the results.
• C. Activities are resources; outputs are goals.
• D. Activities are outcomes; outputs are impacts.

Answer: (A)

In a logic model, the focus is on distinguishing what you do from what you produce as a result of doing it. Activities are the actual actions the program carries out—the services or work you implement, such as delivering workshops, providing counseling, or conducting outreach. Outputs are the immediate, direct products of those activities and are typically measurable counts or tangible items—like the number of workshops held, the number of participants reached, or materials distributed.

Why this is the best framing: it keeps the sequence clear—activities are the processes you perform, and outputs are the concrete results those processes generate right away. This separation helps you track whether the program is being implemented as planned and provides a basis for linking those activities and their outputs to later outcomes, such as changes in knowledge, behavior, or conditions.

Choosing a view that says outputs are the program’s actions would blur the line between what you do and what you produce. Saying activities are resources or that outputs are goals mistakes the nature of these elements, since resources are inputs used to carry out activities, goals are targets you aim for, and outcomes are the longer-term changes that come after outputs.