Dr.

Fred Mednick
VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL

A Theory of Change

RESOURCES

What is a theory of change?

Harvards definition

USAIDs definition

Stanfords Six Theory of Change Pitfalls to Avoid

A Theory of Change (TOC) is a theoretically- and empirically-based model that illustrates the
intended relationships between resources and outcomes that are hypothesized to bring about
change within a research study. A TOC typically includes the assumptions, practices,
resources, interventions, benchmarks, and other inputs and processes that lead to outputs,
outcomes, and impacts. Most importantly, a TOC provides a model of the hypothesized or
intended relationships between the inputs and outputs. While all TOCs may not look alike,
they all describe a program and the expected outcome of change. In addition, any TOC should
be grounded in theoretical and empirical foundations, which are contextualized within the
function of the organization undergoing the intervention. The logic of the expected changes
comes through providing an explicit treatment modeling the process of moving from inputs
to mediators in order to reach outputs.

Often called logic models or backwards-planning maps, TOCs have been used for a wide
range of purposes including but not limited to designing programs; developing short and
long-term goals; assessing progress; establishing and adjusting rubrics and benchmarks;
addressing real or potential roadblocks; managing change; and communicating results. TOCs
provide a structure for examining a range of organizational needs and possible interventions.
The purpose and development of a TOC may require different emphases based on the
intention of the evaluation; some TOC models might emphasize the stakeholder component,
while other models may require explicit attention to short and long-term goals. All TOCs may
not share the same terminology, but all share the same fundamental structure, presented as a
sequential (often visual) diagram ranging from inputs to impacts. On the next page, we
provide an example of a TOC.

The Advocacy Progress Planner

URL: http://planning.continuousprogress.org/
The Advocacy Progress Planner (APP) is a free, collaborative, online tool for advocacy planning
and evaluation. It will be used (in our case) as a rubric for addressing a problem for which
creative curriculum, informed by design thinking, can help.

Taken directly from the website, the purpose of an APP is:

Meaningful and measurable advocacy: This tool is designed to give you and your team
an at-a-glance look at the ingredients of advocacy efforts. It can guide you to clarify the
goal, audience and tactics of your own campaign. Careful planning and strategic learning
are two sides of the same coin.

Tough questions: As you move through the tool, well ask some tough questions to help
you check your assumptions about how change will happen. Youll see your campaign
strategy come into focus. And well help you set some benchmarks to gauge your progress.

Share, collaborate and improve your plan: You can share your plan securely with
colleagues, funders, and coalition partners. Working together, you can improve your logic
model - and your advocacy.

Check back and learn along the way: Advocacy rarely goes the way we think it will.
You can use your completed Planner over the life of your campaign to guide periodic
reviews. Use what you learn to adjust course towards your goals.

Theory of Change and Girls Education Case Study

The following graphic will give you an overview of what you will be working toward to
accomplishing with your NGO or community partner