ACT - Co-creation Toolkit - Plan of Change (Theory of Change)

Plan of change is based on the theory of change, which is viewed as a tool and methodology to outline the logical sequence of an initiative from inputs to outcomes. Alternatively, it is understood as “a deeper reflective process and dialogue amongst colleagues and stakeholders, reflecting on the values, worldviews and philosophies of change that make more explicit people’s underlying assumptions of how and why change might happen as an outcome of the initiative” (Vogel, 2012: 3). However, theory of change benefits from combining both approaches. The outlining of the logical sequence is supported by critical thinking about the surrounding conditions that influence the plan, the motivations and contributions of stakeholders and other actors, and the different interpretations or certain assumptions about how and why that order of change might emerge (Vogel, 2012).