Introduction to outcomes theory
Introduction [1] This Outcomes Theory Knowledge Base - a series of interconnected topic articles - sets out a comprehensive knowledge base for outcomes theory. The Outcomes Theory Knowledge Base is being progressively transferred from a legacy site www.outcomestheory.org to this set of articles. A list of topic articles in the Outcomes Theory Knowledge Base is available. Outcomes theory [2] is a recently developed theory which provides a novel way of looking at outcomes systems. Outcomes systems are any systems which attempt to specify or measure outcomes (also known as results, goals, objectives, target, etc); to attribute changes in such outcomes to players (individuals, projects, programs, organizations, coalitions, joint ventures, governments, etc); and to hold players to account (reward or punish them) for changes in outcomes. Outcomes systems are known by names such as results management systems, performance management systems, monitoring systems, indicator frameworks, program evaluation, evidence-based practice, outcomes-focused contracting and strategic outcomes priority setting processes, amongst other things.
Who is this knowledge base for?
This Outcomes Theory Knowledge Base is for those who want an indepth understanding of the concepts underlying outcomes theory. For those whose interest is more practical, there is an integrated set of web sites associated with outcome theory which are designed to assist those working with outcomes and which have been developed by Outcomes Theory Knowledge Base author Dr Paul Duignan . These other websites can be found at Outcomes Central (outcomescentral.org). In particular the Frequently Asked Questions on that site will help you work out which web site can assist you the most. There is an applied version of outcomes theory called Easy Outcomes (easyoutcomes.org ) and software is available to assist in building the outcomes models which lie at the heart of outcomes theory (DoView - doview.com ). In addition, a set of outcomes models is available which anyone can borrow and use at the Outcomes Models site (outcomesmodels.org ). Lastly there is Dr Paul Duignan's Blog (outcomesblog.org ) which discusses outcomes issues and real-world applications of outcomes theory.
What value can outcomes theory add?
What value can outcomes theory add to existing ways of looking at outcomes, strategy, planning, evaluation and monitoring? Within organizations, and more widely within sectors and countries as a whole, there are many systems which focus on outcomes in a diverse and often unconnected set of ways (e.g. outcomes and performance measurement systems, results-based management, strategic planning, prioritization, value for money exercises, investment strategies, efficiency reviews, evidence-based practice, 'contracting for outcomes' systems etc.). Such systems, within outcomes theory, are known by the generic name of outcomes systems. The purpose of outcomes theory is to provide a common conceptual framework which can be used to describe, assess and improve such systems. Outcomes theory in its most comprehensive form is for those who are examining outcomes systems from a general conceptual point of view and want to better understand and identify their similiarities and differences for the purposes of critiquing and improving such systems.
What value can outcomes theory add to existing ways of looking at outcomes, strategy, planning, evaluation and monitoring? Within organizations, and more widely within sectors and countries as a whole, there are many systems which focus on outcomes in a diverse and often unconnected set of ways (e.g. outcomes and performance measurement systems, results-based management, strategic planning, prioritization, value for money exercises, investment strategies, efficiency reviews, evidence-based practice, 'contracting for outcomes' systems etc.). Such systems, within outcomes theory, are known by the generic name of outcomes systems. The purpose of outcomes theory is to provide a common conceptual framework which can be used to describe, assess and improve such systems. Outcomes theory in its most comprehensive form is for those who are examining outcomes systems from a general conceptual point of view and want to better understand and identify their similiarities and differences for the purposes of critiquing and improving such systems.
Increasingly everyone in the world of work is having to come to terms with outcomes systems of one type or another. A good working understanding of the principles of outcomes theory can help to clarify many real-world problems and avoid expending unnecessary effort in the often futile exercises associated with many badly constructed outcomes systems.
One particular area in which outcomes theory has the potential to add significant value is that relating to what is called in outcomes theory outcomes system architecture. In many organizations or sectors, there will be a number of related systems operating which are called by a diverse range of names but all of which deal in one way or another with outcomes. Often there will be only a few people, or in some cases, no one, who has a complete understanding of exactly what all of the different systems and sub-systems are intended to do and what they actually achieve in practice. This often leads to much 're-work' within organizations and sectors where outcomes-related material which has alreay been developed within one sub-system within the organization is worked up in another format to meet the needs of a different organizational system or sub-system. One of the ambitions of outcomes theory is to assist by providing a clear common technical language for outcomes systems so that the nature and structure of different outcomes systems can be laid bare. This should assist in avoiding unnecessary duplication between existing outcomes sub-systems and identifying any gaps in the sub-systems which need to be filled.
Secondly, some outcomes systems have unnecessary built-in tensions which make them difficult to work with. A second ambition of outcomes theory is that it be used to specify the structural features of any particular outcomes system; assess whether the system includes the essential outcomes system building-blocks which are required for a well functioning system; and assist in fixing any major structural problems which are identified in the process of analyzing the system. An example of how this can be done is an outcomes theory analysis of the United Nations Results-Based Management System using the Outcomes Systems Checklist which identifies the key principles of well constructed outcomes systems.
What makes up the outcomes knowledge base?
The 5 outcomes system building-block model
The most important concept underpinning outcomes theory is that there are five types of evidence which can be offered in regard to showing that a program, policy or any intervention 'works'. These are also referred to as the five building-blocks of a well-functioning outcomes system. Not every outcomes system will be able to provide evidence and analysis from all of these five. If one of them is strong for a particular outcomes system there may be less need for one or more of the other elements to be provided.
These five building blocks are illustrated in Figure 1 below and discussed in more detail in the topic The Five Building-Blocks of All Outcomes Systems.
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Figure 1: The five building-blocks of any outcomes system |
Please comment on this article
This article is based on the developing area of outcomes theory which is still in a relatively early stage of development. Please critique any of the arguments laid out in this article so that they can be improved through critical examination and reflection.
Citing this article
Duignan, P. (2009). Introduction to outcomes theory. Outcomes Theory Knowledge Base Article No. 218. (http://knol.google.com/k/paul-duignan-phd/introduction-to-outcomes-theory/2m7zd68aaz774/3).
[If you are reading this in a PDF or printed copy, the web page version may have been updated].
[Outcomes Theory Article # 218 http://www.tinyurl.com/ot218]
References
- Some of this work was developed when the author was the 2005 New Zealand Fulbright Senior Scholar working at the Urban Institute in Washington D.C
- Aspects of outcomes theory have been presented at a variety of conferences,includin
g presentations to the American Evaluation Association Conference, Atlanta, 2004. The European Evaluation Society Conference, Berlin, 2004. The Australasian Evaluation Society Conference, Perth, 2008. The Aotearoa New Zealand Evaluation Society Conference, Rotorua, 2008. The European Society Evaluation Conference, Lisbon, 2008.
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