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HomeCoursesSector-Specific CoursesTheory of Change Design and Programme Strategy Development Training Course
Sector-Specific CoursesDar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kampala +13 more
Theory of Change Design and Programme Strategy Development Training Course
Build theories of change that hold up under scrutiny and translate directly into coherent programme strategy.
5 Days
Duration
Certificate
Included
Instructor-Led
Delivery
Advanced
Level
TO
Theory of Change Design and Programme Strategy Development Training Course
Starting From
$700
per participant
Flexible Delivery
In-Person, Live Online
Language
English
Dedicated Support
Pre & post training
Course Overview
This advanced course develops technical skills in theory of change design and programme strategy development, covering causal pathway construction, assumptions testing and translation into operational strategy. Participants work through real programme logic rather than template diagrams alone, stress-testing assumptions that often go unexamined. The course closes with a full theory of change built and pressure-tested against a live programme scenario.
Introduction
A theory of change is meant to make an organisation's assumptions about how change happens explicit and testable, yet in practice many theories of change are built after a programme is already designed, reduced to a diagram that decorates a proposal rather than genuinely shaping strategy.
African development and humanitarian organisations increasingly face donor requirements for rigorous theory of change documentation, but rigour on paper does not always translate into strategic clarity in practice. This advanced course moves beyond theory of change templates into the causal logic testing and strategy translation skills that determine whether a theory of change actually guides decision making.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the components of a rigorous theory of change
- Construct causal pathways linking activities to long-term outcomes
- Identify and test critical assumptions underlying programme logic
- Distinguish a genuine theory of change from a results framework diagram
- Translate a theory of change into coherent operational strategy
- Evaluate evidence supporting or challenging causal assumptions
- Design theories of change for complex, multi-sectoral programmes
- Facilitate participatory theory of change development processes
- Advise programme teams on strategy and theory of change quality
Who Should Attend
This course is ideal for:
- Programme design and strategy staff
- Monitoring, evaluation and learning managers
- Country directors and senior programme leadership
- Proposal development and business development staff
- Donor programme officers reviewing theories of change
- Research and evidence staff supporting programme design
- Technical advisers across sectors
- Organisational strategy and planning staff
Training Methodology
The programme is delivered through facilitator-led technical sessions combined with causal pathway mapping exercises, assumptions testing workshops and a full theory of change build, structured around small-group work and real or anonymised programme material rather than lecture alone. Each module closes with a short applied task so participants leave with working tools rather than notes alone.
Organizational Impact
Institutions sending staff on this course can expect:
- Theories of change that genuinely guide programme strategy
- Improved causal logic reducing risk of flawed programme design
- Stronger assumptions testing built into ongoing monitoring
- Better alignment between strategy and operational decisions
- More credible theories of change presented to donors and boards
- Improved programme coherence across complex, multi-sectoral work
- Stronger organisational capability in participatory strategy design
- A documented theory of change and strategy development methodology
- More effective, evidence-grounded programme decision making
Personal Impact
By the end of this course, participants gain:
- Advanced technical skill in theory of change design
- Confidence to construct and pressure-test causal pathways
- Sharper ability to identify assumptions that undermine programme logic
- Practical experience translating theory of change into strategy
- Stronger standing in programme design and strategy discussions
- A completed theory of change for direct application
- Improved ability to facilitate participatory design processes
- A specialist network across African programme strategy practice
- A foundation for senior programme strategy leadership roles
Course Outline
- Core principles and purpose of a rigorous Theory of Change
- Key components of an effective Theory of Change
- Distinguishing Theory of Change from results frameworks and logframes
- Analysing strong and weak Theory of Change examples
- Identifying common Theory of Change design weaknesses and gaps
- Linking Theory of Change to organisational and programme strategy
- Assessing an existing Theory of Change for rigour, coherence and strategic relevance
Practical Session: Assess and strengthen an existing Theory of Change
- Building clear causal pathways from interventions to long-term outcomes and impact
- Distinguishing activities, outputs, outcomes and impact within causal logic
- Identifying preconditions, intermediate outcomes and critical milestones
- Mapping cause-and-effect relationships and testing causal plausibility
- Addressing complexity, uncertainty and non-linear pathways of change
- Selecting effective approaches for visually representing causal pathways
Practical Session: Develop a causal pathway for a defined programme intervention
- Identifying and articulating critical assumptions within a Theory of Change
- Distinguishing assumptions from risks, external factors and uncertainties
- Assessing assumptions against research, data and available evidence
- Prioritising assumptions according to their importance and uncertainty
- Integrating assumption testing into programme monitoring and learning
- Adapting interventions when critical assumptions prove incorrect
Case Study and Practical Session: Identify, test and prioritise assumptions within a programme's causal logic
- Translating a Theory of Change into an actionable programme and organisational strategy
- Aligning strategic priorities with intended outcomes and causal pathways
- Sequencing interventions according to causal logic and programme priorities
- Aligning resources, budgets and capabilities with strategic priorities
- Connecting organisational structures and decision-making to the Theory of Change
- Bridging the gap between strategic intent and day-to-day implementation
Practical Session: Translate a Theory of Change into an operational strategy and implementation framework
- Facilitating participatory and inclusive Theory of Change development processes
- Engaging diverse stakeholders in building shared causal understanding
- Managing disagreement, competing perspectives and power dynamics
- Reviewing and revising Theories of Change as contexts and evidence evolve
- Communicating Theory of Change effectively to donors, boards and senior leadership
- Building organisational capacity for strategic thinking and programme design
- Developing a Theory of Change review, learning and strategy development roadmap
Capstone Practical Session: Develop and pressure-test a complete Theory of Change and strategic response for a live programme scenario
Certification
Certificate of Completion awarded on successful programme conclusion
At Strategic Revenue Africa, our certification goes beyond proof of attendance—it represents practical competence and measurable capability. Upon successful completion of our training programs, participants are awarded a Certificate of Completion from Strategic Revenue Africa, recognizing their ability to apply acquired knowledge in real-world settings. As an organization focused on architecting sustainable revenue and strengthening organizational performance, our certifications signal that participants are equipped with skills that drive results, not just theory.
Programme Inclusions
- Course materials & workbook
- Certificate of completion
- Post-training support (6 months)
Prerequisites
Prior experience in programme design, strategy development or monitoring and evaluation is expected. This is an advanced, practitioner-level course.
Schedule & Investment
Upcoming Dates & Fees
LocationScheduleInvestmentLanguage
Accommodation & Transfer
Accommodation and airport transfer are arranged upon request. Contact the Training Officer to reserve.
Payment
Transfer payment to the Strategic Revenue Africa account before the course starts. Send proof of payment to:
[email protected]Course Fee Includes
- Course tuition & training materials
- Two break refreshments and lunch
- Certificate of completion
- Post-training support (6 months)
Travel, visa, insurance and personal expenses are the participant's responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Theory of Change Design and Programme Strategy Development Training Course
Programme design and strategy staff, MEL managers, country directors and proposal development staff responsible for programme logic.
No. This is an advanced course assuming prior programme design, strategy or MEL experience, focused on rigorous causal logic and strategy translation.
Yes. A dedicated module covers identifying and testing critical assumptions, including how to respond when assumptions prove false.
The course deliberately goes beyond diagrams into translating a theory of change into operational strategy, sequencing and resourcing decisions.
Yes. A dedicated session covers facilitating participatory development processes and managing stakeholder disagreement.
Yes. The final exercise produces a complete theory of change, pressure-tested against a live programme scenario, ready to adapt.
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