NCVO Breakfast Seminar Main Presentation

7/28/2019 NCVO Breakfast Seminar Main Presentation

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25th June 2013

Brian Lamb

Breakfast Learning Session

Theory of Change


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The Issue

Contrary to Marxs famous critique that

philosophers have only sought to

interpret the world not to change it

campaigners have too often sought to

change the world without first

interpreting it.


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A theory of change clearly expresses the relationships between actions

and hoped for results, and could be described as a roadmap of the

strategies and belief systems that make positive change in the lives of

individuals and the community.

THEORY OF CHANGE


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Theory of Change and

Campaign Strategy

Theory of Change is a powerful tool for helping you to decide

your overall campaign strategy, test the assumptions of that

strategy and coordinate activity across different functions.

A Theory of Change is a simple, step-by-step analysis of theanticipated changes that you expect to flow from any set of

actions.

By describing the inputs you are planning and the expected

outcomes of your efforts you can test your strategy and

sharpen your thinking about what is possible and how.

This can be achieved quite simply but has the capacity to be

as complex as you need to account for the environment you

are working in.


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Logic Model

Theory of Change models build from basic Logic Models.

Logic Models form the basis of most project management

programmes.

Logic models illustrate program components, and creatingone helps stakeholders clearly identify outcomes, inputs and

activities.

They are helpful for breaking down the basic components of

a plan and are especially useful where there is a knowrelationship with an action and its consequence.

They often follow a format similar to this;


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Logic Model


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Logic

Model

Theory of

Change

Social

Theories


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Theory of Change

Theories of Change link outcomes and activities to explainHOW andWHY a campaign expects its actions to lead tothose changes.

It is therefore more complex and rich than logic models and

more suited to advocacy campaigns. Advocacy campaigns are complex as they have to select

from a number of different potential strategies and makeassumptions about why something changes.

There are many different ways change can be attempted

and a Theory of Change provides a process for testing outassumptions and deciding on what will be bring about thedesired change.

Campaigns are trying to align research evidence, with theappropriate campaign and advocacy interventions toachieve the influence to secure the change they need.


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The benefits of Theory of

Change?

TOC models provide a common language and approach for planning

and evaluation;

Builds the capacity of organisations to think more strategically about

their goals;

Can be used with stakeholders;

Makes implicit assumptions explicit and therefore easier to test and

modify in the light of experience;

Builds from the actual strategies and activities that campaigners

undertake;

Keeps focus on the final goal to be achieved and clarity about steps

along the way;

Provides a framework for developing different scenarios about how

change might happen and how to plan for contingencies.


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Definitions-whats in

a word? Impact-the ultimate effect on the lives of those you

seeking change for

Outcomes-significant changes that lead to the final

impact Outputs the specific results of work programmes

designed to achieve you outcomes

Activities-the work you do to achieve those outputs

Inputs the resources you deploy to be able toundertake the activities


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What are the Theory of

Change Steps?

1. Stating a clear aim-the final impact you need your

campaign to have;

2. Mapping activities to achieve your campaign aim-usually

in reverse order the impact first;3. Mapping Outcomes and how to get thereusing so that

chains to ensure the links between activities and

outcomes are understood and in place;

4. Understanding how social change happens and aligningthat with your selected activities-Outcome mapping;

5. Ensuring that Capacity of the organisation to achieve

change;

6. Evaluation built into the model.


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Change Strategies

1. Large Leaps orPunctuated EquilibriumTheory

2. Coalition Theory orAdvocacy CoalitionFramework

3. Policy Windows orAgenda Setting

4. Messaging andFrameworks

5. Power Politics orPower Elites Theory

6. Grassroots orCommunity OrganizingTheory


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WORKED EXAMPLES


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So that Chain


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Strategies

Inputs

Outputs

Outcom

es

Impact

State your strategies-the

really key ways by which

you hope to bring about the

change you are seeking

State your Activities-the

specific work you will

undertake to implement the

strategies

Describe the outputs from

that work you expect to

happen as a result.

State your final impact

here-e.g changes to people

lives or the final changes

you are seeking

Theory of Change Mapping

Describe the outcomesfrom that work you expect

to happen as a result.


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Want more support?

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NCVO Breakfast Seminar Main Presentation

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