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== Getting started == | == Getting started == | ||
| − | ActKnowledge is pleased to release our redeveloped Theory of Change tool, Theory of Change Online, or TOCO. | + | ActKnowledge is pleased to release our redeveloped Theory of Change tool, Theory of Change Online, or TOCO. The most fundamental purpose of the Theory of Change (ToC) approach to program planning and evaluation is to achieve more effective work by planning activities in the context of necessary outcomes. In a sense this means encouraging social change practitioners to think in a different way. In the standard way we think first of what we want to do rather than of the conditions that will result from our efforts. ToC subordinates thoughts of "what we're going to do" or "what we do" to mapping the outcomes of our work. Once the outcomes pathway has been drawn and the "causal" relationships between different outcomes theorized diagramatically, -proponents and stakeholders have a logical basis for choosing and coordinating those activities and strategies that seem most likely to achieve the outcomes. |
| + | Social change visionaries are among the least likely persons to think in detailed, causal, sequential formats. Our goal is for the stakeholders in social change efforts to become critical and logical thinkers who can articulate their beliefs about the process of change with the same rigor that engineers and scientists can explain cause and effect. TOCO is designed to support this thought process of understanding and evaluating activities in the context of needed outcomes. | ||
== What is Theory of Change Online? == | == What is Theory of Change Online? == | ||
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Getting started
ActKnowledge is pleased to release our redeveloped Theory of Change tool, Theory of Change Online, or TOCO. The most fundamental purpose of the Theory of Change (ToC) approach to program planning and evaluation is to achieve more effective work by planning activities in the context of necessary outcomes. In a sense this means encouraging social change practitioners to think in a different way. In the standard way we think first of what we want to do rather than of the conditions that will result from our efforts. ToC subordinates thoughts of "what we're going to do" or "what we do" to mapping the outcomes of our work. Once the outcomes pathway has been drawn and the "causal" relationships between different outcomes theorized diagramatically, -proponents and stakeholders have a logical basis for choosing and coordinating those activities and strategies that seem most likely to achieve the outcomes.
Social change visionaries are among the least likely persons to think in detailed, causal, sequential formats. Our goal is for the stakeholders in social change efforts to become critical and logical thinkers who can articulate their beliefs about the process of change with the same rigor that engineers and scientists can explain cause and effect. TOCO is designed to support this thought process of understanding and evaluating activities in the context of needed outcomes.
What is Theory of Change Online?
TOCO is the first web-based drawing and database application tailor-made to capture the elements of a Theory of Change and to make updating easy and dynamic. From our years of experience in conducting research and evaluation for non-profits, foundations, and community organizing/advocacy organizations, we have noticed a disconnect between the breakthroughs that occur during participatory Theory of Change sessions and the ability of organizations to own, update, and use their theories for planning, decision-making and evaluation. ActKnowledge developed TOCO so that organizations can develop their theories of change and have the ability to share, revise and view their theories with others. As a web-based application, TOCO facilitates broad participation by stakeholders across regions. The underlying database lets you can keep track in one place of outcomes, indicators, assumptions and other TOC elements.
Who would benefit from using TOCO?
Anyone who seeks change in their community, school, region, state, province—or the world—and who needs to plan well and hold themselves accountable for results. The Theory of Change methodology has become popular with foundations and not-for-profits, but often without the capacity to use it well. TOCO is for them, but also for smaller organizations which up until now have not had the resources for TOC facilitation or specialized software. We recommend TOCO equally for strategic planning, evaluation, and for participatory initiatives that want to bring transparency to their planning. TOCO is for anyone with a vision… and an online connection. It will enable users to specify how their vision will come about and provide a participatory platform to discuss and perfect the best way to create change.