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Commitment to results

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The Marine Safety program is committed to managing results-based performance measurement and has adopted a logic model that is consistent with the department's results model. The Marine Safety program's logic model, depicted in Figure 1, shows the causal relationships between the program's activities and the intended immediate, intermediate, and ultimate outcomes. The activity areas and their resulting outputs affect those within the reach of the program and lead to immediate and intermediate outcomes. While the Marine Safety program has direct control over activities and outputs, it can only influence the outcomes, since external factors may also influence these. The logic model provides a framework for building a focused set of results indicators, and is a means of shifting focus from inputs and outputs to the achievement of expected results.

The key elements of the logic model are described below:

  • Activity Areas: These are core elements of the Marine Safety program's business and are not meant to be function specific. While most functions may fit primarily within one activity, it is possible that some functions fit into multiple activity areas.

  • Key Outputs: These are the primary products or services delivered with each activity area. These outputs are not exhaustive; but are meant to illustrate the scope of the activity area.

  • Immediate Outcomes (Tier I): These are the results for which Marine Safety program managers can be held accountable and have a direct influence over. Associated indicators focus on what was delivered and how it was delivered.

  • Intermediate Outcomes (Tier II): Marine Safety program managers have an indirect influence over these results. Associated indicators reflect how or whether activities are facilitating behavioural changes that are expected to lead to an “improved state”.

  • Ultimate Outcomes (Tier III): Marine Safety program managers have limited influence over these results. Associated indicators measure changes in the desired end state.

While the model clarifies the relationship between activities and their outcomes, it is important to understand the nature of these links. Specifically, while there is a direct link between activities, outputs and immediate outcomes, the links between these and the intermediate and ultimate outcomes do not necessarily represent a one-to-one relationship. Achieving the two latter outcomes will only be possible if all the activities of the Marine Safety program are undertaken.

Figure 1: Marine Safety's Program's Logic Model

[Click on the image for a larger view]
Chart - Marine Safety's Program's Logic Model

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Date modified:
2010-01-17