The Conceptual and Operational Foundations of Theory of Change in Relation to Strategic Thinking

David Drabble; Richard Allen; Nicola Morelli; Amalia de Götzen; Luca Simeone

doi:10.4337/9781803927718.00008

The Conceptual and Operational Foundations of Theory of Change in Relation to Strategic Thinking

David Drabble, Richard Allen, Nicola Morelli, Amalia de Götzen, Luca Simeone

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review

Abstract

The chapter introduces the history and basic vocabulary of Theory of Change and a few common ways of conceptualizing it. Theory of Change was originally conceived as a graphical and conceptual framework for the articulation of actions and the evaluation of their effects. This framework is made easier to create using a shared structure and grammar that helps participants to engage with and read across different Theories of Change. The chapter emphasizes that, while there is a shared vocabulary, the common ‘palette’ does not determine the design of a Theory of Change and each element is used for different strategic and design purposes. After illustrating some core strategic thinking processes that can be beneficial while designing social interventions, the chapter discusses how Theory of Change can be used to support such processes. For instance, the flexibility of Theory of Change facilitates its use in planning, management, evaluation and scaling up/out.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Strategic Thinking, Design and the Theory of Change : A Framework for Designing Impactful and Transformational Social Interventions
Editors	Luca Simeone, David Drabble, Nicola Morelli, Amalia De Götzen
Number of pages	19
Publisher	Edward Elgar Publishing
Publication date	25 Apr 2023
Pages	21-39
Chapter	2
ISBN (Print)	9781803927701
ISBN (Electronic)	9781803927718
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4337/9781803927718.00008
Publication status	Published - 25 Apr 2023

Keywords

Strategy
Design
Theory of Change
Evaluation
strategic thinking

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10.4337/9781803927718.00008

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Drabble, D., Allen, R., Morelli, N., de Götzen, A., & Simeone, L. (2023). The Conceptual and Operational Foundations of Theory of Change in Relation to Strategic Thinking. In L. Simeone, D. Drabble, N. Morelli, & A. De Götzen (Eds.), Strategic Thinking, Design and the Theory of Change: A Framework for Designing Impactful and Transformational Social Interventions (pp. 21-39). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781803927718.00008

Drabble, David ; Allen, Richard ; Morelli, Nicola et al. / The Conceptual and Operational Foundations of Theory of Change in Relation to Strategic Thinking. Strategic Thinking, Design and the Theory of Change: A Framework for Designing Impactful and Transformational Social Interventions. editor / Luca Simeone ; David Drabble ; Nicola Morelli ; Amalia De Götzen. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023. pp. 21-39

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Drabble, D, Allen, R, Morelli, N , de Götzen, A & Simeone, L 2023, The Conceptual and Operational Foundations of Theory of Change in Relation to Strategic Thinking. in L Simeone, D Drabble, N Morelli & A De Götzen (eds), Strategic Thinking, Design and the Theory of Change: A Framework for Designing Impactful and Transformational Social Interventions. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 21-39. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781803927718.00008

The Conceptual and Operational Foundations of Theory of Change in Relation to Strategic Thinking. / Drabble, David; Allen, Richard; Morelli, Nicola et al.
Strategic Thinking, Design and the Theory of Change: A Framework for Designing Impactful and Transformational Social Interventions. ed. / Luca Simeone; David Drabble; Nicola Morelli; Amalia De Götzen. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023. p. 21-39.

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review

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AB - The chapter introduces the history and basic vocabulary of Theory of Change and a few common ways of conceptualizing it. Theory of Change was originally conceived as a graphical and conceptual framework for the articulation of actions and the evaluation of their effects. This framework is made easier to create using a shared structure and grammar that helps participants to engage with and read across different Theories of Change. The chapter emphasizes that, while there is a shared vocabulary, the common ‘palette’ does not determine the design of a Theory of Change and each element is used for different strategic and design purposes. After illustrating some core strategic thinking processes that can be beneficial while designing social interventions, the chapter discusses how Theory of Change can be used to support such processes. For instance, the flexibility of Theory of Change facilitates its use in planning, management, evaluation and scaling up/out.

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Drabble D, Allen R, Morelli N , de Götzen A , Simeone L. The Conceptual and Operational Foundations of Theory of Change in Relation to Strategic Thinking. In Simeone L, Drabble D, Morelli N, De Götzen A, editors, Strategic Thinking, Design and the Theory of Change: A Framework for Designing Impactful and Transformational Social Interventions. Edward Elgar Publishing. 2023. p. 21-39 doi: 10.4337/9781803927718.00008

The Conceptual and Operational Foundations of Theory of Change in Relation to Strategic Thinking

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Strategic Thinking, Design and the Theory of Change: A Framework for Designing Impactful and Transformational Social Interventions

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