American Journal of Evaluation· 2026Q1
The Yucca Model: An Indigenous Logic Model Approach Integrating Cyclical Reflections and Ripple Effects Mapping to Foster Collaborative Engagement and Cultural Relevance: A Case Story
- 1citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
The Yucca Logic Model, inspired by the yucca plant's life cycle, offers a cyclical, culturally grounded alternative to linear Western logic models for program planning and evaluation in Indigenous communities.
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Key points
- The Yucca Logic Model uses the yucca plant's life cycle as a metaphor for a cyclical, culturally grounded program evaluation approach.
- It contrasts with linear, backward-design Western logic models, centering Indigenous evaluation principles.
- Ripple Effects Mapping was adapted to incorporate the yucca metaphor for participatory evaluation, supporting storytelling and collective reflection.
- The model documented intended and emergent outcomes, emphasizing relationships and non-linear change over time.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Designing culturally responsive programs requires evaluation approaches grounded in place, relationships, and community-defined values. This paper presents a case story of a community science engagement program across rural and Tribal communities. Guided by Indigenous evaluation principles, the program team developed the Yucca Logic Model, a place-based metaphor-based logic model grounded in the life cycle of the culturally and ecologically significant yucca plant. The Yucca Logic Model reflects an Indigenous, culturally grounded approach for program planning, implementation, reflection, and learning that centers a cyclical process contrasting the linear, backward design approach of Western logic models. The Yucca Model was evaluated through Ripple Effects Mapping, a participatory evaluation process, by adapting the yucca metaphor to support storytelling, visual mapping, and collective reflection. This approach surfaced intended and emergent outcomes, foregrounded relationships, and documented non-linear change over time. This case story offers a practitioner-oriented example of culturally responsive, metaphor-based evaluation aligned with Indigenous worldviews.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. American Journal of Evaluation, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Management Science and Operations Research
Management Science and Operations ResearchDecision Sciences