Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
ToCs and impact pathways
To define a [ToC] and to follow the evolution of potential innovations
through outcome pathways—as requested by the CPWF—appears to be
more than a conceptual and analytical tool: this is now an order imposed
by our end users.
(Chechi, 2012)
All CPWF BDCs used the ToC. It was applied through M&E and learning
tools. Basins varied in the way they used the ToC, which has evolved over
time. The CPWF describes its approach to ToC in its monitoring and
evaluation guidelines (Alvarez et al., 2010) as:
A [ToC] is the causal (or cause-effect) logic that links research activities to
the desired changes in the [people] that a project or program is targeting to
change. It describes the tactics and strategies, including working through
partnerships and networks thought necessary to achieve the desired changes
in the target [people]. A theory of change provides a model of how a
project or a program is supposed to work . . . The value of testing and
refining the model is that it challenges preconceptions, aids reflection and
helps staff ask themselves, “Are we doing the right thing to achieve the
changes we want to see?” Regularly asking this question, and responding to
the answer is essential good practice for any [R4D] project or program.
The CPWF made ToC operational using a number of tools, including
participatory impact pathways analysis (PIPA), which is a method developed for
planning complex projects to achieve outcomes. It uses a participatory process to
promote learning and provide a framework for research on change (Douthwaite
et al., 2007). PIPA was applied to all projects at the initial stages in Phase 2.
In turn, CPWF then applied OLMs to describe projects' medium-term
objectives for translating research outputs to behavioral outcomes (Box 3.3).
Box 3.3
Components of an OLM
•
What changes in behavior (policy or practice) are needed to achieve
outcomes?
•
What changes in knowledge, attitudes or skills are needed to change
behavior?
•
Which people need to change policy or practice to get to outcomes?
•
What strategies are needed to influence knowledge, attitudes and
skills of these people?
•
How can research outputs be used and leveraged within these
strategies?
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