The document discusses results chains, which are tools that clarify how project strategies are believed to contribute to achieving social or biodiversity targets. A results chain maps out a series of causal statements linking factors in an "if...then" fashion, demonstrating the desired future condition with the project. It should have boxes containing desired results rather than activities, with clear causal links between boxes showing hoped-for changes over time from strategies to impacts. Criteria for a good results chain include being simple, results-oriented, causally linked, demonstrating change, and reasonably complete.

1. SBIA Stage 3: Project Design
Results chains

2. How will the social objective be
achieved?
OBJECTIVE
FOR THE
FOCAL
ISSUE

3. What is a results chain
A results chain is a tool that clarifies
assumptions about how strategies are
believed to contribute to reducing threats and
achieving the social or biodiversity targets.

4. It demonstrates the desired future
condition (with project)

5. It helps identify “conceptual leaps”
It is a diagram that maps out a series of causal
statements that link factors in an “if…then”
fashion

6. Basic components of a results chain:
Change over time

7. Components of a results chain
• Impact – The desired future state of a focal issue. A goal
is a formal statement of an impact
• Outcome – The desired future state of a direct or
contributing factor (An objective is a formal statement of
an outcome)
• Output – The desired product of an activity or task
• Strategies – The set of actions that a project implements
• Result – A generic term used to describe the desired
future state of a focal issue. Includes impacts, outcomes,
and outputs

8. Results chains do not generally show inputs and
outputs, but rather focus on performance-oriented
results

9. Criteria for a good results chain:
• Simple: There is only one result per box.
• Results oriented: Boxes contain desired results (e.g.,
reduction of hunting), and not activities (e.g., conduct a
study).
• Causally linked: There are clear “if…then” connections
between successive boxes.
• Demonstrates change: Each box describes how you
hope the relevant factor will change (e.g., improve,
increase, or decrease).
• Reasonably complete: There are sufficient boxes to
construct logical connections but not so many that the
chain becomes overly complex.