Identifying leverage points for systemic change: A strategic approach using PLR and Theory of Change

Theory of Change (ToC) has been criticized for a tendency to oversimplify complex contexts and their respective solutions. This chapter aims at (i) examining whether the use of a systemic mapping technique – in conjunction with ToC – can be a way to counteract this tendency towards oversimplification, and (ii) exploring how the two mapping techniques complement each other. Both techniques are applied to a co-modality case where their compatibility with each other is explored. Our findings show that the personal-local-remote (PLR) syntax and ToC do have a complementary functionality with each other, where PLR maps the experience ecosystem and identifies potential leverage points. These leverage points are then explored with ToC in order to find multiple strategic solutions and define them. The combination of both methods allows for a more dynamic and emerging approach to working with systemic change than what is traditionally found in work connected to ToC.