2020-11-09

November 9 (the second Monday of the month) is the 85th meeting for Systems Thinking Ontario. The registration will be on Eventbrite at https://redesigning-theories-of-change.eventbrite.ca .

Redesigning Our Theories of Theories of Change

Peter Jones presents a customized talk from the RSD9 plenary session for ST ON. Ryan Murphy joins with a full presentation of his RSD9 talk.

We often use the model of “theories of change” to argue for the process by which envisioned change programs might achieve their goals. Essentially these are the working theories by which we explain the logic of system change outcomes, and we often include quasi-systemic logic models to communicate them. ToCs are as ubiquitous in social innovation and philanthropy as business models are in startups and VCs. “Systems change” has emerged as a major movement in the worlds of impact investing, philanthropy, and the NGOs they fund, and the proposals expected to advance studies and change programs embrace the language of the theory of change.

• Do Theories of Change reflect coherent models of change that we can observe or assess in real social systems? If so, are logic models sufficient (do they correspond to reality)?
• How do we Represent Transformation? Framework of four Sensemaking Logics
• What are the meanings, purposes, effectiveness, basis in systemics, their common applications, uses and misuses of Theories of Change?
• Can we produce better theories for change through systemic design rationale?

Join us on Nov. 9 starting at 6:30pm ET.

Venue:

• The link for a Zoom conference will be sent upon preregistration.
• Unfortunately, due to the pandemic OCADU, sLab (Strategic Innovation Lab), 205 Richmond Street West, Room 410 is not available!

Suggested pre-reading:

• Murphy Jones (2020). Systemic Strategy: Systemic Design Methods for Complex Systems Change. RSD9 Symposium.
• Abstracts from RSD9:
  • Peter Jones, "The Social Construction of Systemic Change: Our Working Theories of Change" (parallel breakout session, October 14)
  • Ryan Murphy, "Systemic Strategy: Systemic Design Methods for Complex Systems Change" (parallel breakout session, October 15)
  • Peter Jones, "Redesigning Our Theories of Theories of Change", (plenary session, October 16)

Agenda

Post-meeting artifacts

Bloggers are encouraged to write about their learning and experiences at the meeting. Links will be added to this page.