The Theory of Change Canvas is licensed under the Creative Commons attribution 4.0 - this means you are free to:

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Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. 

Including one of the following texts is sufficient: 

Theory of Change Canvas © Humanitarian Changemakers Network

Theory of Change Canvas © School of Social Impact

Theory of Change Canvas © Tiyana Jovanovic

The logic framework (logframe) approach is a widely used methodology for designing, monitoring, and evaluating projects, originating in the international development field. These models offer a structure to outline the logical sequence of events required to achieve project goals, detailing inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts in a linear and systematic manner. 

While these enable a structured approach to project planning, they often fall short in dynamic and complex environments, making them more suited as a strategic overview or way of communicating your ToC to stakeholders. A logic model itself is not a sufficient theory of change. 

Logic Models:

Linear Causality Focus: Relies on linear cause-and-effect relationships and assumes direct pathways from intervention to outcome.

Intervention-Specific: Primarily focuses on the specific intervention, this limited scope doesn’t account for broader context.

Static and Rigid: Fixed structure—hard to adapt or change, and less flexible in responding to new information or changes.

Narrow Perspective: Often neglects underlying causes of issues and misses the complexity of systemic change.

Best Suited as a Strategy: Useful for detailed, intervention-specific planning, based on a broader dynamic analysis.

Theory of Change Canvas:

Holistic and Dynamic: Considers the broader context of change, looks at the system as a whole rather than isolated aspects.

Root Cause Analysis: Investigates underlying causes of symptoms to address fundamental issues driving the problem.

Innovative and Flexible: Encourages creative solutions and innovation, and is adaptable—responds to new information and changes dynamically.

Broader Context Integration: Incorporates multiple factors that influence outcomes, and analyses interconnections and interdependencies.

Enables Adaptable Strategy: Supports continuous learning and adaptation, to be effective in complex and evolving environments.

Do your stakeholders want to see a logic framework? You can plug the relevant aspects from the Canvas into a Logic Model to communicate your ToC!

The design of the Theory of Change Canvas is modelled after the popular Business Model Canvas. 

While researchers are able to use the framework with their own epistemological and ontological assumptions, the Theory of Change Canvas is based in a realist ontology and relativist epistemology. It is grounded in the Transformational Model of Social Activity, in which human agency drives change through interacting with social structures and cultural norms. 

Methodologically, it demands practitioners apply a qualitative and quantitative mixed-methods approach. Critical systems thinking methods are recommended to best operationalise each component of the canvas. 

The Theory of Change Canvas is currently in its first iteration. Version 1.1 contains minor changes to the questions in each component based on feedback from our Strategy Building Bootcamp students. 

It is currently only available in English, but we are looking to translate the Canvas into multiple languages for Version 2. If you are interested in assisting this process, please contact us. 

If you have general questions, you can ask them in our School of Social Impact Community Q&A Group. Not a member? Join the community for free. 

If you're looking for support to use the ToC Canvas and pave your path to impact, there are two options for additional support:

Join the Impact Incubator Program: For a comprehensive immersive experience, consider joining our Impact Incubator Program. You'll gain access to guided workshops, community support, and expert mentorship tailored to developing and implementing your Theory of Change. Learn more here.

Partner with us: For personalised support, we highly recommend booking a free "Impact Blueprint Laser Strategy Session." In this one-on-one session, we'll help you dive deeper into your Theory of Change and outline actionable steps to bring your vision to life. Book a Call here.