We excel in situations where our clients are engaged in innovative social change, are committed to learning, and view measurement as a method to propel their thinking and strategies around future practices.
While the name may sound wonky, the practice of making explicit your assumptions and hypotheses for how change will happen is anything but.
We have seen countless organizations experience breakthroughs in their thinking, increase alignment across individuals and partners, develop deeper clarity around what and where to invest time and resources in measurement and evaluation, and increase the understanding of all parties how they play a part in getting to the ultimate mission and impact. We help facilitate and document theories of change for strategies, initiatives and organizations, bringing useful facilitation tools, understanding of backing research, and outcome frameworks to help groups through the process.
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After sharing with the PLA Board of Directors a Theory of Change Outcome Map we developed in partnership with leadership and staff, our client at PLA informed us: “It was a very good conversation, and the Board referred back to the ToC several times during other topics of discussion. They see the planning value for PLA as well as the pathway value for members… the Board was thrilled with the results and super complimentary of your work, as are PLA staff!” -Mary Hirsh, PLA Deputy Director, Programs
After sharing with the PLA Board of Directors a Theory of Change Outcome Map we developed in partnership with leadership and staff, our client at PLA informed us:
“It was a very good conversation, and the Board referred back to the ToC several times during other topics of discussion. They see the planning value for PLA as well as the pathway value for members… the Board was thrilled with the results and super complimentary of your work, as are PLA staff!”
-Mary Hirsh, PLA Deputy Director, Programs
Related Resources & Publications
Feature Report
This updated brief maintains most of the content from the original piece and provides information on four additional theories. This update also includes an expanded section on how evaluators, advocates, and funders can apply these theories to advocacy and policy work.
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Read more about our related projects
Feature PROJECT
Achieving change in the sphere of global development is no small feat, but rising to the challenge was exactly what SCOPE (Strengthening Care Opportunities through Partnership in Ethiopia) set out to do from the beginning.
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FEATURE PROJECT
For over ten years, ORS Impact has supported the Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP), a statewide network dedicated to ensuring the health and well-being of families and communities across Georgia, to develop and strengthen its measurement, learning and evaluation efforts.
This guide offers step-by-step guidance, tools and questions to help organizations create an outcome map to express their theory of change.
Theories of change support strategic planning, evaluation designs and Measurement, Learning and Evaluation (MLE) plans. Learn more about its definition, applications, benefits, formats and considerations with this useful handout.