NEF Consulting runs online training for groups on Theory of Change, as well as facilitation and consultancy support. See below for more information on our training but please contact us if you’d like to discuss options.
A Theory of Change (ToC) is a powerful tool that helps organisations and initiatives plan how they will create change, assess their effectiveness and communicate to stakeholders. It is used widely by charities, social enterprises, the public sector and even by mainstream businesses who are recognising its potential.
A ToC is normally depicted as a map, or a journey, linking the activities of a programme, intervention or organisation 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.
Using qualitative approaches to gain an intimate understanding of how an intervention impacts on the lives of those affected leads to better quantitative analysis and modelling at later stages of an SROI analysis. Before you can start to value, you need data on outcomes; and before you collect data on outcomes, you need to make sure you are measuring the appropriate outcomes. A strong Theory of Change helps make SROI modelling easier, communicating potential impact considerations such as deadweight and attribution.
We can run the online workshop on a date that suits your group. Contact us today for details.
From January 2024 we no longer deliver open training for individual participants. Please contact the School for Social Entrepreneurs for details on their Theory of Change open training, developed from the NEF Consulting programme.
For more about the Theory of Change process click here
CREATING A THEORY OF CHANGE
One-day group workshop
NEF has developed proven templates to run storyboard exercises in workshops and focus groups in a range of settings, gathering data directly from service users. NEF Consulting has constructed theories of change for a range of programmes. We have found that the best evaluations, including SROIs, are underpinned by strong theories of change developed early in the research process, so would recommend this approach to anyone starting a new social impact project.
In our group training workshops, we explore what a theory of change is, how to construct one and best practice in conducting robust qualitative research.
We usually limit numbers in the workshop to a maximum of 12 participants.
TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE
- The big picture: theory of change and its role in strategic planning and evaluation.
- Talking in outcomes: theory of change and other impact formats
- Collecting theory of change data: engaging with stakeholders
- Using the theory of change framework
- Next steps: planning, verifying and communicating findings.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
By the end of the course, the group will:
- Be able to describe a theory of change and when it is appropriate to use it.
- Understand what an outcome is and describe the similarities and differences between a theory of change and a logic model or impact map.
- Feel able to design a process and discussion guide for engaging with stakeholders.
- Feel confident using the component parts of a theory of change and to communicate their strategic value.
- Find a personal approach to visualising and describing a theory of change.
- Plan for how you will test and communicate your theory of change.
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS TRAINING
Any organisation looking to bring the strategic lens of theory of change to their planning or evaluation. If you have a project in mind, the course will offer the opportunity to map out your theory and gain feedback.
We can run the workshop on a date that suits you. Contact us today for details.
