How to Create a Theory of Change
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In Part 1 of this series, I explained what a Theory of Change is and why it can be useful for changes on a personal and organizational level. In this post, I’ll explain how to create a theory of change, using the following format:
For this example, let’s say that I am overweight and out of shape. I want to improve my health, so I decide to construct a theory of change and action plan that will help me in that process.
Step 1: Desired Change Assumptions. In this step I look at all of the underlying causes of my less-than-stellar health and why I think I got that way. For this example, I’ll say that I want to change because I haven’t been feeling well and I want more energy. The underlying causes of my health problems are poor eating habits and a lack of exercise. Ideally, I would like to be fit enough to run in a 5k and want to eat at least 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables every day.
Step 2: Actions. This is the traditional action planning step that most of us are familiar with. In this step I’ll brainstorm all of the things I need to achieve my desired outcome. Because I think I need more exercise, I decide that I’ll join a gym and work with a trainer. I also need to learn more about nutrition, so I’ll go to the library and research good eating habits. In working with my trainer, we come up with a 5 times per week workout plan and an eating schedule of 5 small meals per day. I’ll continue in this plan for 3 months.
Step 3: Results & Reflection. Some changes can take place quickly, but many are an ongoing process - such as my health improvement example. When this is the case, it’s helpful to pause occasionally and assess the progress that you’ve made so far. Then you can determine if you want to continue doing the same actions, take a break, or rework your assumptions and actions for better results. After my 3 months of improved diet and exercise, I’ll assess my fitness by running in a 5k race. I’ll review my food logs to see if I’ve been eating better. Then I will decide if I want to work toward more improvement or come up with a maintenance plan.
The real power of a Theory of Change is that it forces you to really examine the assumptions behind your thinking. My example is a pretty simple one, but in a more complex situation, this 1st step is very helpful. It is also a continuous improvement type of process that requires evaluation and at least thinking about ways to make your processes and plans better.
I think the Theory of Change tool is great for planning, but I’m always interested in learning about other tools. If you know of a good one, please share it in the comments.
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Related posts:
- What is a Theory of Change?
- Tim Ferriss’ Theory of Change
- Changes That Stick: Preparation and Planning to Act
- Sliding Scales - Rapid vs. Gradual Change
- Changes That Stick: Maintaining the Change
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Join the Chorus... to “How to Create a Theory of Change”
Posted: May 8th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
This is a well thought out plan of action for any changes you wish to make and while it’s a very logical plan, you could apply these steps to the process of healing emotional eating or even food addiction - as far as an overlaying tool for taking the needed action.
Thanks!
JoLynn from The Fit Shack’s last blog post..Shrink Yourself Emotional Eating Experiment - Week Ten
Posted: May 8th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
That’s a good point, JoLynn. A theory of change is really just a very complete framework. It can be applied to many different applications.
Posted: May 9th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Thanks for laying out the steps to create a long lasting change.
I often miss the third step.
Raymond Chua’s last blog post..The Sequence of The Law of Attraction
Posted: May 9th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Very nicely illustrated. I am inclined to get stuck at #3 without repeating the cycle to take it up another level.
When I see it this way, it becomes obvious and clear to see that there is a process and concrete template that can be followed.
Jan - queenofkaos’s last blog post..The Spiral of Success - A Step Beyond Single Minded Focus Podcast #9
Posted: May 10th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
@Raymond & Jan - Yes, step #3 is probably the toughest. I do evaluations in my day job and it’s very difficult to a) convince people that they are important and b) figure out ways to use the gathered information to make the process better.
As you both pointed out, it’s crucial to figure out how to make room for measuring and reflecting on results, but it is just as important as the other 2 steps.
Posted: May 11th, 2008 at 7:50 am
I think having a feedback loop or some way of reflecting on what you have tried to do is essential. Most people do stages 1 and 2, even if not within a structure like this. Then if things don’t work out they just give up! David
David Rogers’s last blog post..Cyclone Nargis - what can be done to help?
Posted: May 13th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Great point, David. Lots of people just don’t reflect on their actions, so they have no information to help them adjust to get better results.
Posted: May 18th, 2008 at 6:36 am
[...] How to Create a Theory of Change by Maria Gajewski [...]
Posted: May 18th, 2008 at 10:28 am
I have never done step 3. Perhaps this is why I have difficulty making changes!
ideal4investors’s last blog post..At Least Your Home Didn’t Drop $20 Million
Posted: Jun 16th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Nice. I guess I would add “what did I learn?” to the results and reflection box.
ernest de cugnacs last blog post..Entry 21: in which We kick around a hypersphere
Posted: Oct 21st, 2008 at 9:04 pm
[...] (We’ll discuss this more in the Maintenance stage of change, and you can also read my post How to Create a Theory of Change for more information on plan adjustment and [...]
This is a well thought out plan of action for any changes you wish to make and while it’s a very logical plan, you could apply these steps to the process of healing emotional eating or even food addiction - as far as an overlaying tool for taking the needed action.
Thanks!
JoLynn from The Fit Shack’s last blog post..Shrink Yourself Emotional Eating Experiment - Week Ten
That’s a good point, JoLynn. A theory of change is really just a very complete framework. It can be applied to many different applications.
Thanks for laying out the steps to create a long lasting change.
I often miss the third step.
Raymond Chua’s last blog post..The Sequence of The Law of Attraction
Very nicely illustrated. I am inclined to get stuck at #3 without repeating the cycle to take it up another level.
When I see it this way, it becomes obvious and clear to see that there is a process and concrete template that can be followed.
Jan - queenofkaos’s last blog post..The Spiral of Success - A Step Beyond Single Minded Focus Podcast #9
@Raymond & Jan - Yes, step #3 is probably the toughest. I do evaluations in my day job and it’s very difficult to a) convince people that they are important and b) figure out ways to use the gathered information to make the process better.
As you both pointed out, it’s crucial to figure out how to make room for measuring and reflecting on results, but it is just as important as the other 2 steps.
I think having a feedback loop or some way of reflecting on what you have tried to do is essential. Most people do stages 1 and 2, even if not within a structure like this. Then if things don’t work out they just give up! David
David Rogers’s last blog post..Cyclone Nargis - what can be done to help?
Great point, David. Lots of people just don’t reflect on their actions, so they have no information to help them adjust to get better results.
[...] How to Create a Theory of Change by Maria Gajewski [...]
I have never done step 3. Perhaps this is why I have difficulty making changes!
ideal4investors’s last blog post..At Least Your Home Didn’t Drop $20 Million
Nice. I guess I would add “what did I learn?” to the results and reflection box.
ernest de cugnacs last blog post..Entry 21: in which We kick around a hypersphere
[...] (We’ll discuss this more in the Maintenance stage of change, and you can also read my post How to Create a Theory of Change for more information on plan adjustment and [...]