Course Overview

This course gives participants a solid understanding of what Theories of Change are; how they complement other planning processes; and how they can be applied to organizations and to programs. The course will build participants’ skills in developing a Theory of Change for their own organization or programme, and allows them to experiment with developing elements of a Theory of Change. The course will also provide participants with the knowledge and skill on the methodology of developing long-term goals and mapping them backwards to causal linkages in an initiative to achieve its shorter-term, intermediate, and longer-term outcomes.

DURATION 5 days

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After the course

• Participants will be able to describe what Theories of Change involves and include and the rationale for using them
• Participants will be able to identify how and when they should be developed and how they inform and complement other planning and M&E tools
• Participants will have increased confidence in working through the steps and  processes involved in developing Theories of Change
• Participants will have explored ways to promote and develop robust Theories of Change within their own organization and have developed an action plan for applying the learning.
• Participants will gain an understanding on how to apply the theory of change to develop relevant and applicable interventions
• Participants will gain confidence to apply the acquired skills and knowledge to their respective initiatives/interventions
• Participants will have an improved understanding of how the theory of change can improve the quality of their projects while promoting learning and accountability

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: Introduction to Change theory

• What is theory of change?
• What theories of change look like
• How they relate to strategic plans, log frames and M&E frameworks
• Steps in theory of change
• Identifying long-term goals

Module 2: Developing a change pathway

• Developing change pathways
• Developing and evidencing assumptions
• Backward mapping and connecting out
• Theory of change in relation to other frameworks (Logical framework, Result framework, Conceptual framework).

Module 3: Informing project and programme plans, M&E and impact assessment

• How to use theories of change to develop project and programme plans
• What to monitor and evaluate
• How impact assessment fits in
• Reflecting on and adapting theories of change
• Identifying assumptions
• Identifying indicators
• How to measure the implementation and effectiveness of the initiative

Module 4: Outcome framework

• Elements of the outcomes framework
• Benefits of developing an outcomes framework
• Steps in creating an outcome framework

Module 5: Contribution assessment framework and participatory methodologies

• Assessing contribution to change
• Participatory methods and tools for contribution assessment
• Reflecting on our assessment practice

 Training Approach

Training on project performance evaluation is delivered by our seasoned trainers who have vast experience as expert professionals in the respective fields of practice. The course is taught through a mix of practical activities, theory, group works and case studies.

Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training on project performance evaluation course, participants will be issued with a certificate.

Tailor-Made Course 

We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide training needs. A training needs assessment will be done on the training participants to collect data on the existing skills, knowledge gaps, training expectations and tailor-made needs.