The Community Builder’s Approach to Theory of Change A Practical Guide to Theory Development

A theory of change can be a helpful tool
for developing solutions to complex
social problems. At its most basic,
a theory of change explains how a group of
early and intermediate accomplishments sets
the stage for producing long-range results. A
more complete theory of change articulates the
assumptions about the process through which
change will occur, and specifies the ways in
which all of the required early and intermediate
outcomes related to achieving the desired
long-term change will be brought about and
documented as they occur.
To best realize the value of creating a theory
of change as part of planning and evaluating
social interventions, the Aspen Institute
Roundtable on Community Change (Roundtable)
developed an approach to help community
builders create the most robust theories of
change possible.