Coached Training: Theory of Change: From Activities to Impact
Coached Training | Self-Study + 5 Live Zoom Sessions | 22 April – 20 May 2026 | $500
Coached Training: Theory of Change — From Activities to Impact
A Theory of Change only works if the assumptions underneath it hold. This course takes you beyond the diagram — into testing, validating, and using your Theory of Change as a practical decision-making tool for the project you're currently working on.
This practical coaching introduces a more strategic and deliberate way of planning for change. You'll work backwards from your desired impact, surface hidden assumptions, and build theories that satisfy donors while guiding implementation.
In live sessions, you'll work directly with Neil Kendrick (25+ years experience) on your actual projects — bringing your Theory of Change challenges, getting expert guidance, and building frameworks you'll use immediately.
Who This Is For
Program managers, project officers, and M&E professionals in NGOs, UN agencies, and local organizations who need to design, strengthen, or validate their Theory of Change — whether for a new proposal, an ongoing project, or a strategic review.
What You'll Learn
Foundations of Theory of Change
Master the core concepts of Theory of Change and learn to work backwards from impact to activities. Surface and address assumptions, map causal pathways, and understand the critical difference between goals, outcomes, and impact.
Theory of Change in Practice
Build practical TOCs that integrate with project logic models and frameworks. Master stakeholder engagement for participatory TOC development, validate assumptions in real contexts, and clearly link activities through outputs and outcomes to impact.
Addressing Complexity and Context
Navigate complex environments using systems thinking and participatory approaches. Address power dynamics, conduct contextual analysis, and build flexibility into your Theory of Change to adapt when contexts shift.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adaptive Management
Design MEL frameworks based on Theory of Change principles. Collect data to measure progress along your causal pathways, implement adaptive management for course correction, and learn from best practices across sectors.
Consolidation and Application
Integrate all elements to create your own comprehensive Theory of Change. In the final session, we consolidate learning and develop action plans. You then submit your TOC for personalized feedback.
How It Works
This is a coached course combining self-study with small group live sessions. Group size is limited to 6 participants for maximum interaction and personalization.
Each week you work through structured video lessons, reflection tasks, and exercises applying concepts to your own project context (3–5 hours), then join a live Zoom session where we work through real challenges from your own context. Sessions are recorded, so if you can't attend live you can catch up before the next one.
Schedule: 22 April – 20 May 2026
| Session | Date | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-course | Before 22 Apr | Orientation materials |
| Session 1 | Wed 22 Apr | Foundations of Theory of Change |
| Session 2 | Wed 29 Apr | Theory of Change in Practice |
| Session 3 | Wed 6 May | Addressing Complexity & Context |
| Session 4 | Wed 13 May | Monitoring, Evaluation & Adaptive Management |
| Session 5 | Wed 20 May | Consolidation + wrap-up |
| Post-course | End of May | Assignment for personalized feedback |
Live sessions: 90 minutes | 10:00 UTC
What's Included
- 5 live small-group Zoom sessions with expert coaching (recordings available)
- Full self-study course — lifetime access
- Practical assignment with personalized video feedback
- Certificate of Completion and Letter of Achievement (ideal for CVs and job applications)
Investment: $500 | Max 6 participants
What Participants Say
"A systematic approach that works. We just submitted a proposal to our donor and they specifically praised our Theory of Change section. First time in 8 years we got approved without revisions."
Patricia Nkomo, Program Director, Health Alliance Zimbabwe
"I took several courses on the Theory of Change, but Neil's teaching approach is practical, elaborative, and comprehensive."
Mir Ahmed
"The live sessions really helped in exploring the complexities of how TOC applies in my unstable context. I realised that I'd been making assumptions that I hadn't really questioned before."
Maria Ö.
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