Developing a strategic Theory of Change (ToC) can help public sector organisations plan how they will create change, assess their effectiveness and communicate to their communities and other stakeholders. A Theory of Change is normally depicted as a map, or a journey. It links activities to the short-term, medium-term and long-term outcomes experienced by stakeholders. It is a living diagram and narrative that should be updated as the work of the organisation changes.
Strategic Theories of Change
We work with clients to co-design strategic theories of change, and to develop an understanding of how and why change happens. Three principles underpin our approach:
- Co-design: We use a participatory approach.
- Feasible and robust: We use proven methodologies to clarify the need, goals, mission and vision of the organisation, how planned activities will drive the desired change.
- Develop understanding: We act not just as a facilitator, but as a ‘critical friend’ offering insights and challenge throughout the process.
How we work with you
Every client has specific needs but the following is an example of a typical programme format:
Stage 1: Discovery: We develop an understanding about the needs, goals, vision and mission of the organisation.
Stage 2: Workshop to develop outcomes pathways for your organisational goals. Explore, refine and define the stakeholders, need, goals, vision and mission of the organisation. Develop outcomes pathways for the goals.
Stage 3: Review and reflection: Review the output from the workshop and share with a wider group for comment. We will review the comments. A revised version of the Theory of Change will be developed for review in a second workshop.
Stage 4: Workshop to understand how the planned activities drive change. You will map activities to the outcomes pathways for each goal to understand how they will drive change.
Stage 5: Review and reflection: Review and comment on the output from the second workshop, and share with a wider group for comment to further refine the Theory of Change.
Stage 6: Final review: At this stage we can support you as a ‘critical friend’ usually via email and telephone.
See our case studies page for examples which we will be adding shortly. In the meantime please contact us for more information.
