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PurposeWhat is the Theory of Change Online Suite? The Theory of Change Online Suite, developed by ActKnowledge, is a set of tools to aid social change initiatives in creating, sharing and using their theories. The Suite provides indepth tutorials, examples, and a highly graphical environment for building, editing, and soliciting feedback on a Theory of Change. In addition to expanding the reach of Theory of Change to organizations that cannot afford the time or expense to hire Theory of Change experts, the online suite will finally make it possible to view the many layers of a theory in a much more intuitive and less overwhelming fashion. Organizations will be able to link theories together and to create several different views, each appropriate to a different purpose, e.g., presentations, planning meetings, evaluation design, proposal-writing, etc. On the following pages you will find a more detailed list of goals for the Theory of Change Online Suite, proposed features, some sample graphics (very preliminary) for which we are seeking feedback, and ways we hope to involve the foundation and notfor-profit community to ensure this suite meets your needs. GoalsBuild capacity in the field of social change to specify cause and effect – explain why and how an initiative will work Create a standard for Theory of Change with a common language, set of core elements and high quality Provide users with the ability to get more use from their TOCs by providing instruction and easy-to-use tools for visual analysis, implementation tracking, program orientation for staff, recruitment tool for service partners or community involvement, relating initiative to other work or broader community goals, etc. Place Theory of Change within an environment of additional online tools that provide users with the ability to maximize the use of their TOC, by connecting created theories directly with online tools that assist in evaluation methodology, proposal-writing and organizational assessment (these are some of the tools that comprise the Evaluation Engine by Innovation Network) Provide users with a database in which to store the large amount of details involved in creating a good theory, such as indicators, actions, outcomes, etc. and portray the relational nature of all the elements of their work (e.g. if one outcome changes, or circumstances change, what else changes) Eliminate the need for users to purchase, learn and use drawing programs in order to portray theories graphically Allow users to concentrate on the content of their theories rather than the labor-intensive aspects of learning jargon and format Provide users with a place to discuss their experiences creating and using theories with other users and experts Provide resources for theory construction, so everyone doesn’t have to start from scratch Provide the ability to produce versions of theories appropriate for different audiences, such as Boards, funders, constituents, partners or decision-makers.
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