A Theory of Change (ToC) is a description of how and why a desired change will happen in a given context. This is usually done at a high level to inform an organization’s strategic aims and objectives, and guide the work done in the Identification Phase.

Check out the images and see the relationship and links between an organization’s ToC, its programs, and projects. The integration of these three levels of management (portfolio, program, and project management) will focus on core outcomes and ensure organizational alignment.

The links between each of the three columns is a visual mapping of how work at a project level should be aligned with program goals and ToC pathways. The ToC will provide key inputs for the program identification process such as:

• The long-term goal(s) that an organization is committed to achieving.
• The pathways, or objectives, needed to deliver the ToC.
• The preconditions required to achieve long-term goal(s).
• The pathways of change, pathway standards, breakthroughs, and indicators.

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