Purpose:

To develop leaders’ skills in establishing an effective theory of change to achieve goals established by their learning community. When working through a theory of change, team members consider barriers that they will face when working toward full implementation of innovations to achieve their goals.

Steps:

1. State the team’s expectations: Team members will establish a theory of change to achieve the goals they have set as an organization. Team members will develop a clear theory of change before making decisions about the actions they will take to achieve their goals.
2. Explain that a theory of change clarifies all building blocks required to achieve a long-term goal. This set of connected building blocks establishes a path to success.
3. Ask participants to work in small teams to answer each of the questions on p. 24. Note: If team members require additional research before the questions can be answered effectively, ask them to conduct their research and come prepared to share.
4. Consider the questions one at a time. Once each participant has answered the first question, ask each small team to come to agreement.
5. Ask each team to share results with the whole group.
6. Find common ideas and come to consensus as a whole group.
7. Then answer the second question in the same way and proceed until all questions are answered.
8. Ask each team member to reflect on his or her work, share it with the larger community, and make revisions in the answers based on the best thinking of everyone.
9. Use the theory of change to establish a clearly articulated plan of action.
10. Implement the plan and reflect on the progress regularly.