1045 - The Path to Inclusive Transformation: Reimagining Theories of Change and Learning to Drive Systems Change

Abstract Information: The social sector is more aware than ever that achieving sustainable impact is not as simple as implementing a discrete project or program. Rather, impact comes about at the systems-level, through iterative, collaborative, and dynamic portfolio-level initiatives that bring together diverse sets of actors (funders, practitioners, researchers, and advocates) to strategize, learn, and adapt together over time. Dynamic theories of change – a fresh take on an old tool – when combined with emerging learning approaches, can help changemakers work together to integrate diverse perspectives, and engage in the collective measurement, learning, and action needed to achieve impact in complex systems. In this interactive workshop, attendees will be introduced to different measurement tools (such as sentinel indicators, progress markers, and causal link monitoring) and have the opportunity to incorporate them into inclusive learning approaches (before and after action reviews, learning logs, and strategy testing) as they practice mapping out and adapting systems-level theories of change. In doing so, they will develop their ability to elevate fresh perspectives in strategic learning efforts, such that the evaluation process integrates the insights, lessons, and priorities of different partners and allies. By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped to bring a variety of approaches to bear in their efforts to lead inclusive, participatory evaluations that help changemakers work together to learn about and, over time, shape complex systems in a way that enables and motivates others to pursue their own impact trajectories.

Relevance Statement: In today’s dynamic, interconnected world, changemakers – more urgently than ever before – are beginning to understand that many of the most pressing challenges we face (climate change, the rise of populism, and outbreaks of war, to name a few) emerge from a panoply of interacting variables and causes. Addressing such challenges requires real-time, collaborative learning; data-driven iteration and adaptation; and a laser focus on understanding, navigating, and over time, shaping the complex systems out of which such challenges emerge. In this context, short-term, project-based approaches, accompanied by top-down, accountability-focused monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks – for so long the modus operandi of social sector programs – no longer cut it (if they ever did!). New models are needed. Today’s evaluators need to have the skills to facilitate inclusive processes through their partners to collaboratively map, assess, navigate, and shape complex systems, including through designing and deploying longer-term, portfolio-based initiatives that enable broad-based, collective action, learning, and emergence. They need to be able to help local actors collect data and evidence that reflect diverse perspectives, so that changemakers throughout a given system can understand and adapt their own impact trajectories while sharing lessons with partners and allies as they emerge. Evaluation is no longer simply about measuring impact. Rather, it’s about facilitating shared, inclusive, strategic learning journeys that bring together multiple perspectives to accelerate systems change. Despite being an old tool, dreaded by many, theories of change, when accompanied by right-sized, best-fit measurement and learning approaches, can anchor just these kinds of journeys. By guiding the collection and use of evidence and data in real time, dynamic, systems-focused theories of change and learning frameworks can deliver the fresh, actionable insights and lessons needed to understand, navigate, and shape complex systems over time. In this hands-on workshop, participants will have the opportunity to develop and practice using inclusive, dynamic theories of change that are focused on systems-level impact. They will also be exposed to measurement and learning approaches, including sentinel indicators, progress markers, causal link monitoring, before and after action reviews, learning logs, and strategy testing, that they can use to bring together multiple perspectives, and drive rapid cycles of collective iteration, learning, and adaptation across diverse coalitions of actors. Working together, participants will explore how to design and implement such processes and tools, and practice doing so. They will also be guided through a reflection exercise, in which they will identify lessons from the session, and explore their implications for their own organizations and practice.