How to use the Theory of Change Generator.
A theory of change should expose the assumptions connecting activities to outcomes. Include external influences and avoid treating a plausible causal pathway as proof that the program caused the result.
Make the workflow fit your task.
Describe the need, activities and intended sequence of change, then make each link's assumptions explicit. Identify external influences and evidence that could test the pathway. Keep the model as a proposed explanation rather than proof of achieved causation.
- What you provide
- Program activities and desired impact.
- What you get
- Causal pathway with assumptions and evidence needs.
See the input and the result.
Illustrative input and output · a teaching example, not a live WebAct run
Example input
Program provides job-search coaching; intended outcome is more successful applications.
Completed example
Pathway: coaching improves application skills, which may improve application quality and interview access. Assumptions include available jobs and participant access to technology; identify evidence to test each link.
Load this input into the prompt, then copy it to WebAct to try the task. Your result may differ from the illustration.
Decisions and troubleshooting.
Should a theory of change omit factors outside the organization's control?
Include important external conditions, because they may determine whether the proposed pathway can work.
Why does the pathway jump directly from workshops to long-term employment?
Intermediate skills, behavior and opportunity conditions may be missing. State those links and how they would be observed.
Try it with your own source.
Replace the example with your material in the task prompt. Keep the requirements you need, then copy the task into WebAct.
Customize and copy the task ↑