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CIVIC TECH ASSESSMENT RESOURCES 1: DEVELOPING A THEORY OF CHANGE

1. Developing a Theory of Change

Civic tech innovators typically start with a vision of change they want to see in the world and some ideas about how their platform will contribute. A “theory of change” is simply an explicit statement of how change is expected to occur, including details about how a civic tech platform and its features, working alone or in concert, will affect different types of users and drive civic outcomes. Developing a theory of change (ToC) can be useful for platform design as well as for evaluation. A ToC can also help you explain your work to partners and funders. Here are additional resources for creating and using a ToC:

• Introduction to outcomes thinking by Community Resource Exchange

• Theory of Change: A Practical Tool For Action, Results and Learning, prepared for: Annie E. Casey Foundation

• Developing a Theory of Change, Keystone Accountability

The example below illustrates how a platform that engages constituents and policymakers could create change.

Sample Theory of Change sample as a PDF