Blog27 March 2025
Sitting down to create a new theory of change (ToC) from scratch and facing a blank page can be intimidating. And as you progress, more challenges arise. Wouldn’t it be great to have an interactive tool that was designed specifically for creating both simple and complex ToCs – one that guides you through the process step by step? Well, we’re on it.
In autumn 2024, TASO delivered a series of in-person training events designed to upskill the higher education sector in all things evaluation. Staff from all over the country travelled to London to explore topics ranging from using a pre- and post- survey, to understanding quasi-experimental methodologies. The most in-demand session? ‘Kickstarting your evaluation with a theory of change’.
There is a clear requirement for staff across the higher education sector to create a ToC that outlines their interventions, programmes, and activities, as part of their institution’s access and participation plan (APP).
However, just because you’re required to do it, doesn’t mean it’s easy. So what could make the process simpler?
We are commissioning the build of a bespoke interactive tool for the TASO website to do just this. This tool will allow users to create a Core Theory of Change (Core ToC) from scratch, or using a template, and guide them in expanding this into a comprehensive Enhanced Theory of Change (Enhanced ToC) diagram with associated narrative document. This isn’t just guidance; this is a tool that will walk you through every step of the process.
Staff across the sector often report facing similar challenges. So how will this tool help? Let’s explore some of these challenges one by one.
“How and where do I start?”
The struggle to create a strong ToC is often not a lack of knowledge, but a lack of confidence to do so. A bespoke tool that walks you through the process ensures that you understand each step and can be confident that your ToC is structured in line with Office for Students guidance. We also plan to include starting templates and integrate our Mapping Outcomes and Activities Tools (MOATs) into the process, so you won’t have to start with a blank page.
“What do some of these terms even mean?“
Theories of change often employ confusing terminology; ‘outcome’ vs ‘output’, ‘situation’ vs ‘context’, ‘rationale’ vs ‘assumption’. With our tool, you will be given clear definitions along the way, as well as examples for each of the key terms you need to know, ensuring you understand them in context. You’ll learn as you create.
“Which software should I use?“
Currently, creating a Core ToC requires using our Microsoft PowerPoint template, while creating an Enhanced ToC involves writing a narrative using a Microsoft Word document template and creating an associated diagram using tools like Lucid, or Miro, or Visio, or TOCO or Prism. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, but none of them are tailored to your needs. Using our tool, you’ll be able to create everything – the Core ToC, Enhanced ToC map and narrative – in one spot.
“Where can I store and share my ToCs?“
Staff often create their ToC, and store it locally, where it lives hidden somewhere on a shared drive. Our tool will provide a virtual dashboard where all your ToCs are easily accessible, and ready to export. What’s more, we’re building in version control so you can see how it evolves over time, and can even share them with the wider sector (when you decide to).
‘Why do I even need to update a Core ToC and an Enhanced ToC?’
These two types of ToCs have different purposes. A Core ToC provides a high-level overview of your programme–an elevator pitch that makes it easy to explain your intervention to stakeholders. An Enhanced ToC, on the other hand, dives into the details, supporting in-depth evaluation to fully understand what works, and what specifically you might want to do differently. Our tool will allow you to switch between the two seamlessly, ensuring that updates made within the tool are reflected in both your Core ToC and Enhanced ToC.
Through a tendering process, TASO have selected Tom Evans (aka Acatcalledfrank) to develop, design, and produce our bespoke ToC tool. Tom is a freelance creative technologist with experience in data visualisation and web applications, having worked with ‘Information is Beautiful’, ‘Beyond Words’, the BBC, and Channel 4.
This exciting project is just kicking off, with development expected to continue through the first two quarters of the year and a full launch planned for summer 2025.