Introduction to outcomes theory
Introduction 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 is a recently developed theory which provides a novel way of looking at outcomes systems. Outcomes systems are any systems which attempt to specify outcomes and the steps which lead to them (also known as results, goals, objectives, etc); to measure outcomes (indicators, targets, benchmarks); to prioritize focusing on particular outcomes (strategic priorities); identify the evidence underpinning the links between steps and outcomes; to attribute changes in such outcomes to parties (individuals, projects, programs, organizations, coalitions, joint ventures, governments, etc); to contract or delegate the achievement of steps and outcomes; and to hold parties to account (reward or punish them) for changes in steps and 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 others.
About outcomes theory
Who is this knowledge base for?
Who is this knowledge base for?
This Outcomes Theory Knowledge Base is for those who want an in depth 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 the reader work out which web site can assist them the most. An applied version of outcomes theory called Easy Outcomes (easyoutcomes.org ) has been developed 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, he can be followed on Twitter (twitter.com/paulduignan) and he has a periodic E-Newsletter which can be subscribed to at (easyoutcomes.org/newsletter1.html).
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 diverse and often unconnected 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. Figure 1 illustrates how outcomes theory provides a common conceptual framework for dealing with issues related to outcomes across a number of different domains of activity.
The purpose of outcomes theory is to provide a common conceptual framework which can be used to describe, assess and improve outcomes systems of any type. 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 similarities 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 diverse and often unconnected 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. Figure 1 illustrates how outcomes theory provides a common conceptual framework for dealing with issues related to outcomes across a number of different domains of activity.
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| Figure 1: Outcomes theory deals with a common set of issues related to working with outcomes across a set of different types of activity |
The purpose of outcomes theory is to provide a common conceptual framework which can be used to describe, assess and improve outcomes systems of any type. 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 similarities and differences for the purposes of critiquing and improving such systems.
Increasingly everyone in the workplace is having to come to terms with working 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 poorly constructed outcomes systems.
A first area in which outcomes theory has the potential to add significant value is that relating to what, within outcomes theory, is called 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 already 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 to reduce this problem by providing a clear common technical language for describing 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 such sub-systems which need to be filled.
A second area in which outcomes theory can add value is that within some outcomes systems there are unnecessary built-in tensions which make them difficult to work with. Outcomes theory can 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.
A third purpose of outcomes theory is to help ensure that new outcomes systems that are being developed do not contain any of the outcomes system flaws which are identified within outcomes theory. Outcomes systems are often being constructed by people with a wide range of different disciplinary, professional and individual sector backgrounds who do not have any significant background in outcomes thinking (e.g. in monitoring, evaluation or other related disciplines), as a results, such system often suffer from a range of technical problems. The principles of outcomes theory can help such people to construct sound and sustainable outcomes systems.
A third purpose of outcomes theory is to help ensure that new outcomes systems that are being developed do not contain any of the outcomes system flaws which are identified within outcomes theory. Outcomes systems are often being constructed by people with a wide range of different disciplinary, professional and individual sector backgrounds who do not have any significant background in outcomes thinking (e.g. in monitoring, evaluation or other related disciplines), as a results, such system often suffer from a range of technical problems. The principles of outcomes theory can help such people to construct sound and sustainable outcomes systems.
Where are aspects of outcomes theory being used?
Aspects of outcomes theory and an applied approach based on outcomes theory principles (Easy Outcomes) are being used in the following sectors:
What makes up the outcomes knowledge base?
The 5 outcomes system building-blocks model
One of the key concepts underpinning outcomes theory is that there are five types of 'evidence-related information' which can be offered in order to show 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 in the building-blocks model to be provided.
These five building-blocks are illustrated in Figure 1 below and discussed in more detail in the topic article on The Five Building-Blocks of All Outcomes Systems.
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Figure 1: The five building-blocks of any outcomes system |
Conclusion
The purpose and key aspects of outcomes theory have been outlined in this article. The reader can select articles they may be interested in from the outcomes theory article list.
Academic conference presentations of outcomes theory
Aspects of outcomes theory have been presented at a variety of conferences, including 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, The Aotearoa New Zealand Evaluation Society Conference, Auckland, 2009. The Austrasian Evaluation Society Conference, 2009.
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.
Acknowledgements
Part of the author's work on outcomes theory was written up while he was the 2005 New Zealand Fulbright Senior Scholar working at the Urban Institute in Washington D.C
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]
Mohamad Hassan Mohaqeq Moein
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Dear professor Paul Duignan
Hi (sallam) thank you very much for your best efforts on expanding evaluation culture. I observe your Knowledge Sharing Networks & obtain very useful information.
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Moein