Take Learning Module
Setting up a Theory of Change is like making a roadmap that outlines the steps by which you plan to achieve your goal. It helps you define whether your work is contributing towards achieving the impact you envision, and if there is another way that you need to consider as well.
The Theory of Change tool not only helps to clearly articulate and connect your work to your bigger goal, it also allows you to spot potential risks in your plan by sharing the underlying assumptions in each step. In large organisations, when there may be several projects running simultaneously, the Theory of Change helps to map these different projects first and then consider how they link and relate to each other.
This tool can also aid in aligning team members to the larger end goal, and help them understand their role in achieving it.
Latest User Experience
Sam Rye
Lifehack HQ
User Rating: 3
Quite liked the canvas flow – great to have a simple output at the end.
I think the challenge with this is often more about the language to use to engage an audience, but it’s good to have the foundation to work from.
Kate
User Rating: 1
The theory of change downloads as a pdf which is not conducive to using on a computer as you cannot edit it – do you have it in a word document to use please?
Thank you
Shelly Jackson
S.J. Global Hope For The World
User Rating: 4
what is your most used developmental app? How does it implement change in creating components that reflect different options in running a team to direct social media pathways of communication.//??
Sr. Maria Goretti Nabwami
St. Theresa Riiji health center
User Rating: 3
I would like to bring about a long term goal so that my organization improves as there will be increased accessibility and alleviation of suffering for the children
Clarence Sim
User Rating: 2
The flow in between “Local awareness campaign” and “Reduce HIV stigma” does not seem to connect. Also when empowered women get work & money doesn’t quite contribute to improved health of HIV+ women and their family.
Lauren
User Rating: 4
This is a great board meeting tool to focus mission and programming.
Markus Faigle
Zahana
User Rating: 1
This is a simple step by step model that we hopefully can use with our teachers as a tool to help them focus on some of their desired outcomes. I am a bit confused about the term “theory”, since there are quite a few theories of change out there and this is more a model or road map tool than a theory. (I was thinking along the lines of Prochaska’s “model of change”, when I read theory)
Abdullahi Sh. Abukar
Somali Human Rights Association(SOHRA)
User Rating: 5
The second topic was very interesting one about ” Theory of Change”, this innovating is definitely helpful throughout the seven pillars of the Implementation of the project
Ginni Hill
Colorado Springs Conservatory
User Rating: 5
This organizational tool helped me outline everything in an action-oriented manner, all the while respecting potential setbacks through recognizing key assumptions. It forces you to focus on specific tasks to reach immediate and longitudinal goals. Thank you!
David
User Rating: 3
How to do help a group define assumptions?
Alice
Farm Concern International
User Rating: 4
I found this tool quite useful and will definitely use it soon.
cn
Seattle Uniersity
User Rating: 2
Love it but trouble dowloading.
JANE ANYANGO
POLYCOM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
User Rating: 2
Simplified, but having it accessed practically is the only way to know you go it right. I will practice it and get someone confirm to me if its right.
Jane Segleau Earle
ASIREA
User Rating: 4
It was very very easy to fill in the tool since in ASIREA we have strategic planning and recently we did an overview of our work. The truth is, this work is so difficult, taht one cannot loose contact with why or with whom we are doing it. In fact, every Monday, we recheck our path to be sure we are on the right track, we discuss challenges and make decisions.
As a conclusion, I think we need to strengthen communication of our work with stakeholders, Government and farmers alike.
This tool is great for the beginning of a project. Also, like others- could not use the format, but did it in a notebook.
Blessings Makwakwa
Field Officer - Community Initiative for Self Reliance (CISER)
User Rating: 5
This has really been helpful. simple and well clarified.
Tessa Davis
Just Like My Child Foundation
User Rating: 5
Just Like My Child Foundation utilized this tool to assess the preconditions that exist for programming. We were able to flesh out our steps for successfully meeting our goal. More importantly we were able to define our assumptions and challenge ourselves to do the necessary research on evidence based best practices to ensure success. It also helped us to determine which areas needed to be tested through our monitoring and evaluation processes.
EDDY MORRIS OGWENG
THE ODWAR FUND
User Rating: 2
I have truly enjoyed learning how to use the DIY Toolkit and especially going through the Theory of change. I am so certain that the quality of our programmes will continue to improve.
JABON THOMAS LOMNAN
AFRICA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
User Rating: 3
THEORY OF CHANGE ,HAS CHANGE MY WAY OF HANDLING ISSUES IN CHANGE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.IT HELPS ONE IN A LINE OF YOUR PLAN OR SETTING STEPS AND HOW TO ACHIEVE GOALS.THAT IS TO SAY,LONG TERM VISION,NOTE THE PROBLEM DOWN,TARGET GROUP,PLACE,MARKET PLANS, WEAKNESS,PERSON TO DO THEM,OUTCOMES,ASSUMPTIONS AND CONNECTIONS OF PROJECTS LINKS,POTENTIAL RISKS AND OTHERS.I REFER THIS AS TODAY CHANGE FOR EVERY PERSON .
Sanne Magnan
HealthPartners Institute
User Rating: 4
Hello, can you send me a Word document of the Theory of Change Template to use? The ones listed are pdfs, and cannot be modified. I note others have requested such a version. Thanks. Sanne
Shahida Cassim
University of KwaZuu Natal
User Rating: 3
I have used the Nesta Toolkit in my classroom to expose social entrepreneurs to the first steps in developing their theory of change.
It works well.
prosper matondi
UNHCR Malawi
User Rating: 2
could i have a word version to use and adjust?
Development Impact and You
DIY Toolkit
User Rating: 5
Hi Prosper, we don’t have the tools available in Word documents, but you may be able to find a Theory of Change one using a search engine.
Prem Dhital
FRADS Nepal
User Rating: 4
Helpful !
TELESPHORE EKKA
SAMAJ PRAGATI KENDRA
User Rating: 5
It is a very simple tool to reach out goal, from input to output and activities leading towards impact.
ANDREA LIVINGSTON
BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
User Rating: 5
Great
Gary Cheung
University of Auckland
User Rating: 3
I am thinking of holding a ToC workshop to map out the way to impact of a psychosocial group treatment for people with dementia (called Cognitive Stimulation Therapy) in New Zealand.
Can I possibly print your 1-page ToC template and use it at the workshop?
Many thanks
Gary
Development Impact and You
DIY Toolkit
User Rating: 5
Hi Gary, yes please do! You can download the template as a PDF and print.
Emmanuel Salia Gaima
User Rating: 1
Patterning a desire to an outcome is exhilarating, and this work has taught me this. My organization can finally adopt a model like this to place every thought-about model in a pattern in order to totally form an understanding of the necessary path to follow for a succcess of our programs.
LWANDA KEYA
Lwanergy Infiniti Media
User Rating: 5
Am Lwanda from Nairobi, Kenya. I am extremely impressed with the simple, actionable steps. The video crowned it all.
Attako John
Vom Christian Hospital
User Rating: 1
This is great
BEATRICE SOKO
Shepherd Center Organization Zambia
User Rating: 5
IT WAS HELPFUL.
Dickens
Lengo Community School
User Rating: 5
Very Useful lesson.
Deryl W Davis-Bell
Northwest Urban Ministries
User Rating: 5
Awesome material!
Judith Namata
East Central and Southern Africa Health Community
User Rating: 4
Would like to know what this means “What is your entry point to reaching your audience?” Give an example
Development Impact and You
User Rating: 5
Hi Judith, thanks for the comment. This is about the ways in which you start to reach your target audience – this could be a place, a person or a thing. For example, it could be through health workers interacting with the target audience, or directly through a text message campaign. You can see worked examples in the video on this page, or in the Theory of Change module (link at the top of the page). Hope this helps!