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The Evolution of the Performance Model from Black Box to the Logic Model Through Systems Thinking

Daniel Williams · 2014 · International Journal of Public Adminis…

paper 19 of 19 on this spine peer review →

From Black Box to Logic Model: Can Systems Thinking Improve Performance Evaluation?

THE ITCH THE FIELD HAD, BEFORE THIS PAPER

The Black Box of Performance Evaluation

Imagine a factory where raw materials go in, and finished products come out, but nobody knows what happens inside. This is like the Input/Output construct, where performance is measured by inputs and outputs, but the processes in between are a mystery.

IN PLAIN TERMSThe Input/Output construct, associated with scientific management, was the dominant performance model in the United States from approximately 1900 through the early 1970s.

The Evolution of Systems Thinking

As the factory owner becomes curious about the inner workings, they start to map out the production process, from raw materials to finished products. This is like the transformation from Input/Output to Input → Throughput → Output, where systems thinking reveals the hidden processes.

IN PLAIN TERMSBeginning in the mid-1950s and accelerating in the 1970s, the Input/Output construct transformed through systems thinking to Input → Throughput → Output.

The Logic Model: A More Comprehensive Approach

The factory owner now has a clear understanding of the production process, from raw materials to finished products, and can make data-driven decisions to improve efficiency. This is like the logic model, where performance is measured by inputs, throughputs, and outputs.

IN PLAIN TERMSIn current language, the Input → Throughput → Output model is known as the 'logic model.'

[ THE MODEL TO WALK AWAY WITH ]

A performance model is like a factory production process. Understanding the hidden processes (throughputs) is key to improving efficiency and effectiveness.

Reach for it when

Evaluating the performance of a complex system, such as a healthcare organization or a supply chain.
Identifying bottlenecks and areas for improvement in a production process.
Developing a comprehensive performance measurement system for a large organization.

It misleads when

Measuring performance in a highly unpredictable or dynamic environment, such as a startup or a crisis situation.
Focusing solely on short-term outputs, without considering long-term throughputs and inputs.
Using the logic model in a very simple or routine process, where the throughputs are not significant.

[ THE ARGUMENT, AS A MAP ]

Premises left, conclusions right. Click any claim to inspect it; drag the lens to fade the weakly-valid links and see which conclusions still stand.

P1 · ARGUMENTFrom approximately 1900 through the early 1970s, the examination of organizational perfor…

P2 · ARGUMENTBeginning in the mid-1950s and accelerating in the 1970s, the Input/Output construct tran…

P3 · ARGUMENTIn current language, the Input → Throughput → Output model is known as the 'logic model.'

P4 · ARGUMENTThere is no single accepted variant of the logic model.

C1 · VALIDITY 75The evolution of the performance model from Input/Output to logic models could be improve…

VALIDITY LENS ≥ 0

Click a claim to see how much weight it can carry.

Try it in your world

Founder

Map out the production process of your startup, from raw materials to finished products.

WHY · This helps you identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to imp

Develop a comprehensive performance measurement system that includes inputs, throughputs, and outputs.

WHY · This helps you evaluate the performance of your startup and make informed decisions about resource a

ProductLeader

Use the logic model to evaluate the performance of your product or service, including inputs, throughputs, and outputs.

WHY · This helps you identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to improve customer sat

Develop a production process that minimizes waste and maximizes efficiency, using the logic model as a guide.

WHY · This helps you reduce costs and improve quality, while also increasing customer satisfaction.

Researcher

Use the logic model to evaluate the performance of a complex system, such as a healthcare organization or a supply chain.

WHY · This helps you identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to improve efficiency a

Develop a comprehensive performance measurement system that includes inputs, throughputs, and outputs, using the logic model as a guide.

WHY · This helps you evaluate the performance of the system and make informed decisions about resource all

Engineer

Use the logic model to evaluate the performance of a production process, including inputs, throughputs, and outputs.

WHY · This helps you identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to improve efficiency a

Develop a production process that minimizes waste and maximizes efficiency, using the logic model as a guide.

WHY · This helps you reduce costs and improve quality, while also increasing customer satisfaction.

← 2001 · Sir John Carew Eccles, A.C. 27 January 1903…