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  • The development and utility of a program theory: Lessons from an evaluation

    This article, written by Tim Clement and Christine Bigby, looks at the use and development of program theory in human service organisations.
    Resource
  • The hidden life of theories of change

    One common criticism of Theory of Change is that it is often used as a framework that fixes agreements rather than as a living, guiding tool that helps reflection and adaptation.
    Resource
  • 52 weeks of BetterEvaluation: Week 3: Q & A about drawing logic models

    This week on BetterEvaluation we're presenting Questions and Answers about logic models.
    Blog
  • VUE

    The Visual Understanding Environment (VUE) is a concept and content mapping application developed to support teaching, learning and research.
    Resource
  • TOCO

    Theory of change Online (TOCO) is web-based software (no download required) that you can use to design, edit and store your theory of change.
    Resource
  • Dylomo

    Dylomo is a free, web-based tool that can be used to create interactive, online logic models.
    Resource
  • The IDEAS guide and facilitators' guide

    The IDEAS Guide (Innovating, Designing, Evaluating and Applying to Small-scale projects) is a guide to the design and evaluation of small-scale media and communication projects where evaluation is built into the design of an initiative
    Resource
  • Learning about Theories of Change for the Monitoring and Evaluation of Research Uptake

    This practice paper from IDS captures lessons from recent experiences on using ‘theories of change’ amongst organisations involved in the research–policy interface.
    Resource
  • Forming Partnerships

    I come from an agricultural research and development background and am convinced that the complex problems we deal cannot be addressed by one organization alone.
    Blog
  • BetterEvaluation FAQ: How do I choose a suitable theory of change?

    A theory of change can be very useful in designing an impact evaluation, but what kinds of theories should we use?
    Blog
  • BetterEvaluation FAQ: How can you get stakeholders to articulate how they think a program or project works?

    In our last newsletter we drew attention to our method page on
    Blog
  • Illustrating models and theories of change

    Chris Lysy, of Lysy Design, (and also known as Fresh Spectrum's 'evaluation cartoonist'), recently made our day by storifying an example of a logic model Patricia Rogers had previously created for the UNICEF Impact Evaluation Series in Brie
    Blog
  • A guide to monitoring and evaluating policy influence

    Using a literature review and interviews, this paper aims to provide an overview of the different approaches to monitoring and evaluating policy influence.
    Resource
  • Six Thinking Hats

    This webpage from De Bono Consulting provides an overview of the six thinking hats and includes a range of free resources including guides and videos.
    Resource
  • Learning about theories of change for the monitoring and evaluation of research uptake

    The paper, published by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), captures lessons from recent experiences on using ‘theories of change’ amongst organisations involved in the research–policy interface.
    Resource
  • Defining theories of change

    This review from CARE International UK looks at 19 peacebuilding projects in conflict-affected countries and finds that the articulation and review of theories of change has a wide ran
    Resource
  • Open space

    Open Space Technology (OST) is a group facilitation approach for small and large gatherings in which a central purpose, issue, or task is addressed, but which begins with a purposeful lack of any formal initial agenda.
    Method
  • Formal meeting processes

    Studies have demonstrated that attendance at meetings and conferences, planning discussions within the project related to use of the program evaluation, and participation in data collection foster feelings of evaluation involvement among st
    Method
  • Six thinking hats

    The Six Thinking Hats method encourages participants to cycle through six different ways of thinking, using the metaphor of wearing different conceptual “hats”.
    Method
  • World cafe

    The world café is a methodology for hosting group dialogue which emphasizes the power of simple conversation in considering relevant questions and themes.
    Method
  • Tools for knowledge and learning: A guide for development and humanitarian organisations

    This tool kit presents entry points and references to the wide range of tools and methods that have been used to facilitate improved knowledge and learning in the development and humanitarian sectors.
    Resource
  • Theory of change software

    There are a number of options when it comes to using software to help create a logic model.
    Resource
  • Theory of change

    This guide, written by Patricia Rogers for UNICEF, looks at the use of theory of change in an impact evaluation.
    Resource
  • UNICEF webinar: Theory of change

    What is a Theory of Change? How is it different from a logframe? Why is it such an important part of an impact evaluation?
    Resource
  • Logic model development workshop

    Susan Cottrell’s Logic Model Development Workshop, sponsored by American University’s Measurement and Evaluation Program, is aimed at audiences who are new to developing logic models, and those who need a refresher.
    Resource
  • Using logic models and theories of change better in evaluation

    Many evaluations include a process of developing
    Blog
  • Mapping change: Using a theory of change of guide planning and evaluation

    This guide, written by Anne MacKinnon and Natasha Arnott for GrantCraft, describes the process of developing a theory of change to support planning and evaluation.
    Resource
  • Theory maker

    This free and open-sourced web-based tool was made by Steve Powell as a quick and simple way of creating a theory of change. The information provided was supplied by Steve Powell.
    Resource
  • Develop theory of change / programme theory

    A programme theory or theory of change (TOC) explains how an intervention (a project, a programme, a policy, a strategy) is understood to contribute to a chain of results that produce the intended or actual impacts.
    Framework/Guide
    Rainbow Framework