Theory of Change
Designing Effective Action for
Change
How a Theory of Change helps you
clarify the cause-and-effect
relationship at the heart of your
program
Copyright © 2012 by JBS International, Inc.
Developed by JBS International for the Corporation for National & Community Service
Theory of Change
Learning Objectives
By the end of the module, you will:
•
•
•
Draft your own logic model
Provide feedback on an AmeriCorps State
logic model
Receive feedback on your logic model
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Theory of Change
Theory of Change Perspective
Community
Problem/Need
Specific
Intervention
Intended
Outcome
the most effective
set of activities
for volunteers
and participants
•
•
•
Looks at cause and effect relationships
Identifies specific interventions to achieve the
desired result
Shifts thinking from “what we are doing” to
focus on “what we want to achieve”
Adapted from www.theoryofchange.org/about/
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Theory of Change
Theory of Change Elements
Community
Problem/Need
Specific
Intervention
Intended
Outcome
Statistics
Evidence
documenting the
need
•Guides choice of intervention
•Supports cause-effect relationship
4
Theory of Change
Everyday Life Example
•
•
•
Strep throat
I have strep throat (problem)
I will take antibiotics (intervention)
I will get better (outcome)
Be Healthy
Antibiotics
Evidence
•Guides choice of intervention
•Supports cause-effect relationship
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Theory of Change
Example:
Riverton Literacy Corps
Community
Problem/need
Specific
Intervention
Intended
Outcome
Children reading
below grade level
in 3rd grade
Individualized
tutoring 3
times/week for 20
min on five
“building block”
literacy skills
through reading,
writing and verbal
communication
activities
Students are able
to read at 3rd
grade level (as
measured by 3rd
grade reading
exam)
Statistics on the number
of students at below
grade level in program’s
service area; Research
on why reading
proficiency by 3rd grade
is important.
Evidence: Research on building block skills leading to
reading proficiency. Research on design, frequency,
duration of tutoring sessions.
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Theory of Change
Intervention
Describe the design and dosage of your
intervention (service activity):
• Design (who does what with whom?)
• Dosage
• Frequency (how many sessions a week?)
• Intensity (length of each session)
• Duration (how many total weeks of sessions?)
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Theory of Change
Intervention Example
Healthy Futures Program Example
• Design: national service participants implement
•
•
•
the Shape Up curriculum with economically
disadvantaged urban girls ages 14-16 to increase
physical activity (30 minutes/session) and educate
them on healthy eating
Frequency: twice a week afterschool
Intensity: 60 minutes per session
Duration: 12 weeks
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Theory of Change
Systematic Process for Measuring
Outputs and Outcomes
Outputs
• Amount of service
provided
(people served,
products created, or
programs
developed)
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Theory of Change
Systematic Process for Measuring
Outputs and Outcomes
Outcomes
• Reflect the changes or
benefits that occur
• Can reflect changes in
individuals, organizations,
communities, or the
environment
• Address changes in
attitudes/beliefs,
knowledge/skills,
behavior, or conditions
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Theory of Change
Outcomes
Types of Outcomes
Attitude/Belief
Knowledge/Skill
Behavior
Condition
Thought, feeling
Understanding,
know-how
Action
Situation,
circumstance
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Theory of Change
Outcome Examples–
Education
Attitude/Belief
Knowledge/Skill
Behavior
Condition
Increased interest
in school
Improved math
ability
Increased school
attendance
Successful
completion of
High School
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Theory of Change
Outcome Examples–
Healthy Futures
Attitude/Belief
Knowledge/Skill
Behavior
Condition
Increased desire
to adapt good
nutrition habits
Improved lowbudget cooking
skills
Increased healthy
food intake
Improved
household food
security (supply)
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Theory of Change
Intervention Example
Logic Model Activity
•Logic Model Template
•Instructions (Tips)
•Feedback Document
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