Improving theories of change in conservation projects
Abstract Theory of change has become a common tool in project design because it helps teams agree on hypothesized causal pathways to a desired goal and examine their underlying assumptions. Yet, a consensus has not emerged on the specific steps and components of a theory of change. What constitutes...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Conservation Science and Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13248 |
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| _version_ | 1846172482616164352 |
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| author | Craig Leisher Richard Bugan Sarah Ngo |
| author_facet | Craig Leisher Richard Bugan Sarah Ngo |
| author_sort | Craig Leisher |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Theory of change has become a common tool in project design because it helps teams agree on hypothesized causal pathways to a desired goal and examine their underlying assumptions. Yet, a consensus has not emerged on the specific steps and components of a theory of change. What constitutes a theory of change? Using 22 theory of change publications, we did a structured analysis of the components of a theory of change. Where there was substantial agreement among the publications on a specific component of a theory of change, we included it in the first iteration of our approach. We then ordered the components in a logical sequence, developed guidance for each component, tested them with project teams, and revised them in an iterative process. We tested and refined our guidance over 3 years with 73 teams from 18 countries. Here, we share our learning and recommendations for those interested in developing a robust theory of change for a conservation project. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d59f3a058df44e09a9fcae866d96c45b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2578-4854 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Conservation Science and Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-d59f3a058df44e09a9fcae866d96c45b2024-11-10T06:27:47ZengWileyConservation Science and Practice2578-48542024-11-01611n/an/a10.1111/csp2.13248Improving theories of change in conservation projectsCraig Leisher0Richard Bugan1Sarah Ngo2The Nature Conservancy Arlington Virginia USAThe Nature Conservancy Cape Town South AfricaThe Nature Conservancy Agility Lab Boulder Colorado USAAbstract Theory of change has become a common tool in project design because it helps teams agree on hypothesized causal pathways to a desired goal and examine their underlying assumptions. Yet, a consensus has not emerged on the specific steps and components of a theory of change. What constitutes a theory of change? Using 22 theory of change publications, we did a structured analysis of the components of a theory of change. Where there was substantial agreement among the publications on a specific component of a theory of change, we included it in the first iteration of our approach. We then ordered the components in a logical sequence, developed guidance for each component, tested them with project teams, and revised them in an iterative process. We tested and refined our guidance over 3 years with 73 teams from 18 countries. Here, we share our learning and recommendations for those interested in developing a robust theory of change for a conservation project.https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13248assumptionsevidenceoutcomesproject designproject planningtheory of change |
| spellingShingle | Craig Leisher Richard Bugan Sarah Ngo Improving theories of change in conservation projects Conservation Science and Practice assumptions evidence outcomes project design project planning theory of change |
| title | Improving theories of change in conservation projects |
| title_full | Improving theories of change in conservation projects |
| title_fullStr | Improving theories of change in conservation projects |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving theories of change in conservation projects |
| title_short | Improving theories of change in conservation projects |
| title_sort | improving theories of change in conservation projects |
| topic | assumptions evidence outcomes project design project planning theory of change |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13248 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT craigleisher improvingtheoriesofchangeinconservationprojects AT richardbugan improvingtheoriesofchangeinconservationprojects AT sarahngo improvingtheoriesofchangeinconservationprojects |