Theory of change
We see theory of change as the foundation of charity strategy, evaluation and communication. Our free guidance is one of the most popular resources we offer. To get started on your theory of change, read our Theory of change in ten steps. To dig deeper, we run regular training sessions, and our consultants can help you develop bespoke theories of change for your projects and services.
Theory of change in ten steps
Our ten step handbook to creating a theory of change is built on many years of developing them for charities and funders.
On 9 October 2019.
Mechanisms – A missing component in your theory of change?
A realist approach to evaluation, which stresses how contexts interact with mechanisms to achieve outcomes.
On 9 October 2019.
How to do a basic theory of change
James Noble introduces NPC's new thinking on theory of change. There are ten steps in all.
By James Noble .
On 9 October 2019.
Blog
Theory of Change: responding to 6 common criticisms
By Jessica Weir .
On 3 July 2025.
Theory of change can withstand the criticisms levied at it–as long as you do it right.
Blog
4 questions to ask when building an impact dashboard
By Kaan Yilmazturk, and Elliot Trevithick .
On 16 June 2025.
Where are you on your impact journey? What’s your main aim – reporting or learning? How will you collect and manage the data? Who will maintain and update the dashboard?
Organisation we’ve worked with
Leukaemia UK
On 11 June 2025.
Leukaemia UK asked NPC to facilitate a theory of change process to help them review their current activity against their strategic objectives.
Organisation we’ve worked with
Unity Trust Bank
On 10 June 2025.
Unity Trust Bank has launched a pioneering new initiative to help customers increase their social impact and measure it more effectively.
Blog
Theory of Change: how your purpose should shape your process
By Jessica Weir .
On 5 June 2025.
Thinking through the why will lead you to the how. And getting the process right will strengthen your final output.
Event
Theory of change in ten steps
On 27 November 2025, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm at Zoom
This seminar will run through how to develop a theory of change, based on our guidance 'Theory of change in ten steps'.
Blog
5 challenges of evaluating systems change work and how to approach them
By Katie Boswell .
On 23 January 2025.
It’s difficult to establish cause and effect. To evaluate, you'll need to map the system and create a theory of change.
Organisation we’ve worked with
Asthma + Lung UK
On 6 January 2025.
Following a change in senior leadership, A+LUK asked NPC to help them review their strategy and identify priority areas of focus for maximum impact in pursuit of their vision.
Event
How to build convincing evidence with numbers
On 15 May 2025, 9:45 am – 12:30 pm at 93 Great Suffolk Street
This in-person workshop will explore different methods in how you can show impact through numbers.
Organisation we’ve worked with
dabbledoo
On 20 November 2024.
dabbledoo asked NPC to help them with measuring impact. The work focused on developing a theory of change and a custom-built impact dashboard.
Organisation we’ve worked with
Walking with the Wounded
On 23 September 2024.
We helped WWTW to estimate the added value of their Care Coordination programme. Our analysis indicated substantial positive outcomes, with improvements made in the lives of service users.
Organisation we’ve worked with
Opportunity International
On 11 September 2024.
We supported Opportunity to develop a best-in-class impact measurement and management (IMM) framework and an impact report to capture their work.
