What is it? For a pdf file with all info and examples click here Assumptions are external factors for which the intervention is not responsible, but that are very important for the realisation of the results, the project purpose and the overall objective. They are outside direct intervention control, but vital for achieving a successful implementation. In the Logical Framework, assumptions feature in the fourth column of this matrix. For example in the demonstration case, 'enough labour to harvest the rice production' is an external factor, which decisively determines whether results will sustainable contribute to the project purpose. The assumption is that enough labour capacity is available to harvest the rice production. If - without additional measures - it is unlikely that men and women make sufficient effort to harvest the higher yields, the assumption is considered a 'killer' assumption. Killer assumptions make a successful implementation of an intervention impossible. In the case of a killer assumption the concerned part of the project design must be reviewed. For instance, the government may be required to launch an 'awareness programme for division of labour'. The actual launching of such a programme may be put as a precondition. Preconditions are external factors that have to be met before the start of the project. They are placed in the lowest cell of the 4th column. In the logical framework, relationships between the external factors and the intervention logic are presented as follows:  This scheme reads as follows: · if the preconditions are complied with, then the activities can be started; · if the activities are realised, and if the assumptions at the activity level have come true, then the results will be realised; · if the results are realised, and if the assumptions at the result level have come true, then the project purpose will be realised; · if the project purpose is realised, and if the assumptions at the project purpose level have come true, then the overall objective will have significantly been contributed to. | 