Evidence A theory of change (TOC) lays out the pathways through which we expect a set of strategies and activities to create change. There is no one way to produce a TOC, but it is recommended to employ a step-by-step participatory methodology with key stakeholders to ensure everyone can contribute and understand the final TOC.
A theory of change is important to:
- Determine the outcomes to evaluate the impact
- Define the milestones and indicators of change we will track along the way, e.g. short-term outputs, medium-term outputs
A good theory of change will clarify how change happens through:
- Mapping relationships between interventions and expected outcomes
- Unpacking the mechanisms of change
- Clarifying the evidence behind these relationships
- Clarifying the assumptions we are making about these changes and the wider environment for change
- Providing the basis for the indicators we will use to track change
- Articulate key programme interventions
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