Difference between revisions of "Theory of Change"

Jump to: navigation, search
 
(25 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
<span style="font-size:150%">
<onlyinclude>A theory of change is a detailed description of the mechanisms through which a change is expected to occur in a particular situation. A theory of change identifies the goals, preconditions, requirements, assumptions, interventions, and indicators of a program, providing important insight into and guidance on intervention and '''impact evaluation''' design. </onlyinclude>
<span style="color:#ff0000"> '''NOTE: this article is only a template. Please add content!''' </span>
</span>


== Read First ==
* A theory of change is best completed in the planning stages of an '''impact evaluation''', as it can play a critical role in guiding intervention design, [[Primary Data Collection|data collection]], [[Data Analysis|analysis]], and reporting. 


add introductory 1-2 sentences here
==Building the Theory of Change==
According to the Theory of Change [http://www.theoryofchange.org/what-is-theory-of-change/how-does-theory-of-change-work/ website], a theory of change is built in six steps:
#Identify long-term goals.
#Backwards map and connect the preconditions and requirements necessary to achieve the goals. Explain why these preconditions are necessary and sufficient.
#Identify your basic assumptions about the context.
#Identify the interventions that will create your desired change.
#Develop indicators to measure outcomes.
#Write a narrative to explain the logic of the interventions.


[https://www.povertyactionlab.org/sites/default/files/3.%20Theory%20of%20Change%202014.03.10.pdf Poverty Action Lab] identifies seven similar steps to building a theory of change:
#Analyze the situation
#Clarify the program goal
#Design the program/product
#Map the causal pathway
#Identify explicit assumptions
#Design specific, measurable, achievable, reliable and time-bound indicators
#Convert to logical framework.


==Applications==
The theory of change uses backwards mapping to create a set of connected outcomes known as the “pathway of change”. The “pathway of change” graphically represents the change process and acts as the skeleton around which the other elements of the theory are developed. The “pathway of change” typically follows the following structure:


= Read First =
If '''inputs''' and '''activities''' produce '''outputs''', this should lead to '''outcomes''' which will ultimately contribute to '''goals'''.
* include here key points you want to make sure all readers understand


A theory of change empowers organizations and initiatives to achieve, measure, and show their impact. It provides evaluators with a framework on which they can base hypotheses, evaluation questions, and outcomes of interest. It also identifies key indicators, guiding evaluators towards the “what” and “when” of evaluation and strengthening monitoring systems overall.


= Guidelines =
== Back to Parent ==
* organize information on the topic into subsections. for each subsection, include a brief description / overview, with links to articles that provide details
This article is part of the topic [[Experimental Methods]]


 
== Additional Resources ==
= Back to Parent =
* The [http://www.theoryofchange.org/ Theory of Change] website, including its [http://www.theoryofchange.org/library/toc-examples/ library] of theory of change examples
This article is part of the topic [[Impact Evaluation Design]]
* Innovation for Poverty Action’s [https://www.poverty-action.org/sites/default/files/publications/Goldilocks-Deep-Dive-Guiding-Your-Program-to-Build-Theory-of-Change.pdf Guiding Your Program to Build a Theory of Change]
 
* JPAL’s guide on [https://www.povertyactionlab.org/sites/default/files/3.%20Theory%20of%20Change%202014.03.10.pdf guide] on Theory of Change
 
[[Category: Experimental Methods]]
= Additional Resources =
* list here other articles related to this topic, with a brief description and link
 
[[Category: Impact Evaluation Design ]]

Latest revision as of 17:50, 9 August 2023

A theory of change is a detailed description of the mechanisms through which a change is expected to occur in a particular situation. A theory of change identifies the goals, preconditions, requirements, assumptions, interventions, and indicators of a program, providing important insight into and guidance on intervention and impact evaluation design.

Read First

  • A theory of change is best completed in the planning stages of an impact evaluation, as it can play a critical role in guiding intervention design, data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Building the Theory of Change

According to the Theory of Change website, a theory of change is built in six steps:

  1. Identify long-term goals.
  2. Backwards map and connect the preconditions and requirements necessary to achieve the goals. Explain why these preconditions are necessary and sufficient.
  3. Identify your basic assumptions about the context.
  4. Identify the interventions that will create your desired change.
  5. Develop indicators to measure outcomes.
  6. Write a narrative to explain the logic of the interventions.

Poverty Action Lab identifies seven similar steps to building a theory of change:

  1. Analyze the situation
  2. Clarify the program goal
  3. Design the program/product
  4. Map the causal pathway
  5. Identify explicit assumptions
  6. Design specific, measurable, achievable, reliable and time-bound indicators
  7. Convert to logical framework.

Applications

The theory of change uses backwards mapping to create a set of connected outcomes known as the “pathway of change”. The “pathway of change” graphically represents the change process and acts as the skeleton around which the other elements of the theory are developed. The “pathway of change” typically follows the following structure:

If inputs and activities produce outputs, this should lead to outcomes which will ultimately contribute to goals.

A theory of change empowers organizations and initiatives to achieve, measure, and show their impact. It provides evaluators with a framework on which they can base hypotheses, evaluation questions, and outcomes of interest. It also identifies key indicators, guiding evaluators towards the “what” and “when” of evaluation and strengthening monitoring systems overall.

Back to Parent

This article is part of the topic Experimental Methods

Additional Resources