At npc, we tend to think of theory of change as the foundation of charity strategy, evaluation and communication. A practical tool for action, results and learning what does a theory of change look like. Introducing a theory of change approach to social development. Lewins threestage model of change2 focuses on the driving forces that facilitate or hinder change, and how those involved in the change agree that the change is necessary, collaborate towards the desired result and. Download theory of change graphic guiding principles align strives to achieve victories at a large scale, making a significant impact for lowwage workers and communities of color and winning precedentsetting standards.
Theories of change unicef strategic plan, 20182021 2 june 2017. Developing a theory of change for your project what is a theory of change. Keystones theory of change interactive pdf template. But an impact pathway, results chain, or a logic model is not a theory of change. A theory of change is a diagram that explains how your project has an impact on young people.
Theory of change is an outcomesbased approach which applies critical thinking to the design, implementation and evaluation of initiatives and programmes intended to support change in their contexts. A theory of change toc of a project intervention describes the processes of change by outlining the causal pathways from outputs goods and. Pdf although frequently discussed in the evaluation literature and general agreement on what a theory of change is conceptually, there is. The range of examples represents how different groups have approached their theory of change thinking. Theory of change provides a working model against which to test hypotheses and assumptions about what actions will best bring about the intended outcomes. Theory of change is a rigorous yet participatory process whereby groups and stakeholders in a planning process articulate their longterm goals and identify the conditions they believe have to unfold for those goals to be met. Applied to evaluation, it can help grant makers and grantees alike know. One recommended approach is to develop an outcome map, a visual diagram. Believe it or not, this is an artifact of our early attempts to draw these in microsoft word. Theories of change time for a radical approach to learning in development 3. Outcomes are the building blocks of a theory of change. The reality of change theory of change is nothing new.
Although theories of change are frequently discussed in the evaluation literature and there is general agreement on what a theory of change is conceptually, there is actually little agreement beyond the big picture of just what a theory of change. This manual, created for the casey foundations making connections initiative, defines theory of change using caseys impact, influence and leverage platform, and shows. There is no perfect example, as all theories of change should vary depending on the views of those. Thus, it can be used to design, monitor and evaluate social change initiatives, including peacebuilding. Selecting the best theory to implement planned change. Theory of change is a method and an approach that, in recent years, has been increasingly used for designing and monitoring development interventions and also as a framework for use in evaluations. However, there is a recognition that theory of change should not become just another donor hoop to jump through. Useful theory of change models john mayne ottawa, ontario abstract. A theory of change explains how activities are understood to contribute to a series of results that produce the final intended impacts. A theory of change is a tool to help you describe the need you are trying to address, the changes you want to make your outcomes, and what you plan to do your activities. The change theory of nursing was developed by kurt lewin, who is considered the father of social psychology. Beginning at the left, the figure illustrates how, when wraparound is true to the principles and practice described by the nwi, the result is a wraparound process with certain characteristics. The hosts of this podcast discuss counseling theory, socialcultural issues, and the working dynamics of the modern practitioner. Building on her work, we have defined a theory of change approach to cci evaluation as a systematic and cumulative study of the links between activities, outcomes, and contexts of the initiative.
A theory of change is a diagram that explains how a programme has an impact on its beneficiaries. In developing a theory of change, the fi rst step is to develop the impact path way. Theory of change page 5 the education sector1 identified four different researchbased theories to inform the evaluation. The terminology and the different options can be confusing at first. The theory of change podcast showcases topics relevant to counselors and counselor educators. This slideshare describes the theory of change approach to program planning and design. Using a theory of change to guide planning and evaluaion for a foundation, one grant maker explained, a theory of change is a powerful way to promote accountability and transparency. The theory of change, then, is a tool that can be used to explain and articulate the logical connection between a lower level result and a higher level result. The present article presents an integrative theoretical framework to explain and to predict psychological changes achieved by different modes of treatment. These conditions are modeled as desired outcomes, arranged graphically in. Theory of change is a structured process to help develop a description of how research links to development outcomes. Through its corporate responsibility in eliminating slavery and trafficking initiative crest, iom has developed the toc with input from the private sector, expert organizations, civil society, as well as.
Espa guide to working with theory of change for research. A theory of change models outcomes in an outcomes pathway. It is not just a donor fad or yet another hoop to jump through. The theory of change approach focuses on the assumptions that underlie social innovations and compels the kind of focus on evaluation that can help social programs improve.
Developing a theory of change a guide to developing a theory of change as a framework for inclusive dialogue, learning and accountability for social impact. It is hypothesized that expectations of personal efficacy determine whether coping behavior will be initiated, how much. Equally important are the attributes of change agents who are, according to marquis and huston 2008, skilled in the theory and implementation of planned change and who are often nurse managers. It is an essential part of a successful community transformation effort. Social change philanthropy aims explicitly to facilitate the changing of social institutions so. Useful theory of change models canadian evaluation society. Theory of change helps to build an impactorientation to guide research design. Theory of change toc is a specific type of methodology for planning, participation, and evaluation that is used in companies, philanthropy, notforprofit and government sectors to promote social change. A theory of change toc outlines how to create that change. A theory of change approach can sharpen the planning and implementation of an initiative. Used during the design phase, it increases the likelihood that stakeholders will have clearly specified the initiatives intended outcomes, the activities that need to be implemented in order to. The theories of change available to a field are not static but.
For more information about the community builders approach to theory of change, visit. Review of the use of theory of change in international development. A practical tool for action, results and learning table 1. The resilience education theory of change is a living document that will be updated regularly to reflect progress made by elp, as well as other contributions to the field of resilience education. This document provides examples of theories of change of different types. Individual and family outcome areas and sample outcome statements outcome area sample outcome statements changes in attitudes, e. This theory states that psychological procedures, whatever their form, alter the level and strength of selfefficacy.
Pdf the theory and practice of change management by john. Theory of change has come to be near synonymous with programme theory, even if that link has not been made explicit. Guidance for developing a theory of change for your. Short discussion on what is sufficiently long time. It is a practical model that allows you to articulate how you will achieve your aim, and what assumptions you are making. Developing a theory of change keystone accountability. Theory of change for improving the quality of general education in. Undergirding the mission and model is aligns theory of social change and. No new tool or approach can in itself address problems of institutional incentives in the sector that block such learning. Outcomes in a theory of change represent changes in condition of some kind whether a policy, law, behavior, attitude, knowledge, state of the environment among people, institutions, and environments. Common elements include an articulation of how change happens in a particular context, clarification of an organisations role in. Only when we add the assumptions to the causal links in the impact pathway do we get a theory of change. Child protection is critical for all child wellbeing.
Weiss 1995 defines a theory of change quite simply and elegantly as a theory of how and why an initiative works. It is being increasingly used in international development by a. The theory of change is based on the fundamental logic that a road can provide access to markets as well as allow for the provision of security, which in turn can lead to improved incomes and security for the population of north and south kivu. He theorized a threestage model of change known as unfreezing change refreeze model that requires prior learning to. The output from a theory of change process describes how we believe our activities will lead to the outcomes and impacts we want to achieve. A theory of change offers a framework that visually depicts the elements needed to support the programs success. A practical guide to theory development we draw a pathway of change in a way that may seem peculiar at.
It outlines all the things that a programme does for of its beneficiaries, the ultimate impact that it aims to have on them, and all the separate outcomes that lead or contribute to that impact. You can use different techniques to match your communitys tolerance for planning versus doing. There are different ways of developing and representing a theory of change. Theory of change draws on evaluation and social change traditions, combining logical process. Impact planning, assessment and learning an overview 2.
Theories of change are drawn from the fields such as education and health in which both funders and their grantees operate. Theories of change time for a radical approach to learning in development 5. The community builders approach to theory of change. The theory of change approach, with its focus on continuous critical reflection, demands a radical shift towards more and better learning in development thinking and practice. A theory of change approach to planning and evaluation is increasingly being considered essential practice within social development. The approach can be used for organisations of all shapes and sizes from servicedelivery.
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