Analysis Theory of

(1)

Planning Context Situational

Analysis Theory of

Change Logical

Framework

Application to Planning

Process

Theory of Change for Planning in the Public Sector

Course

Electronic Resource Guide

(2)

NSG 2019

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form of by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written consent of the National School of Government (NSG).

These materials have been mainly sourced from the course: Planning for Implementation Programmes that is owned by the NSG and has been reproduced in part and adapted for use.

Published by:

NSG

ZK Matthews Building 70 Meintjes Street Sunnyside

PRETORIA, South Africa Edition 1.0

Enquiries: +27 12 441 6000

Please visit our website: www.thensg.gov.za

(3)

@ NSG 2019 Theory of Change for Planning in the Public Sector: Electronic Resource Guide

1. Introduction

Dear Delegate,

If you receive this Electronic Resource Guide it means that you have been selected to complete the course: Theory of Change for Planning in the Public Sector. Welcome to the course! The purpose of the course is to provide you with the skills to apply Theory of Change as a tool for the development of Strategic Plans, Annual Performance Plans and Annual Operational Plans. It provides basic information on key concepts, principles and application of the Theory of Change. Furthermore, you are provided with an opportunity to engage with the interactive material to stimulate thinking through key concepts and the application of those concepts to real life planning.

2. Background

Government planning is regarded as a critical process which enables the implementation of the NDP 2030 priorities through the development and implementation of legislation, policies and services. Challenges have been identified over the years in government planning processes which include the misalignment between the political planning and the strategic planning process, budgeting process and institutional implementation processes. To quickly respond to the demand for developmental growth, there is a need to improve the impact, delivery and implementation of government's transformation and development interventions.

This will be achieved through a more effective coordination and integration of the planning powers and functions that the Constitution assigns to all three spheres of Government.

Within this context, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) has introduced a Revised Framework for Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans for further improvement of government planning systems and processes, and to institutionalise development planning in government. The revised framework outlines requirements for strategic and annual performance planning, operational planning, implementation programme planning, infrastructure planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluations.

The aim of this course is to gain an understanding of the implementation of the Revised Framework for Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans (DPME, n.d.b) and the Guidelines for the Implementation of the Revised Framework for Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans (DPME, n.d.a).

3. Outcomes of the course

The outcomes on which this course is based include the following:

(6)

2

 Conduct a situational analysis with tools such as problem tree analysis and solution tree analysis to identify priorities and formulate key actions applicable to planning for Strategic Plans, Annual Performance Plans and Annual Operational Plans.

 Apply the Theory of Change process to build a results chain; and

 Translate the results chain into the different sections of the Strategic Plan, Annual Performance and Annual Operational Plans.

4. Outcomes per Learning Unit

Based on the course outcomes, the following outcomes per learning unit apply:

 Understand important planning terminology;

 Understand the planning context in the South African government;

 Understand the government planning process; and

 Explain the key components of the Theory of Change and Logic model.

 Incorporate the key steps of conducting a situational analysis into the strategic planning processes to various analytical tools;

 Understand the role of a situational analysis related to the strategic planning process; and

 Use various tools such as the problem tree analysis to identify the problem and root causes thereof, as well as the solution tree analysis which seeks to provide solutions to address the problems identified in the problem tree analysis.

 Understand and apply the concept Theory of Change;

 Identify who should be involved in developing a Theory of Change;

 Develop a results chain using Theory of Change building blocks;

 Indicate how the Theory of Change can be presented;

and

 Explain how a Theory of Change will be tested.

Unit 1 : Planning Context

Unit 2 : Situational Analysis

Unit 3 :

Theory of Change

(7)

3

 Indicate how steps related to the logical framework fit into the planning process;

 Explain the value and importance of using a logical framework;

 Analyse the process to follow to build a logical framework;

 Identify indicators, baselines and targets to be included in the logical framework; and

 Identify activities, outputs and cost schedules linked to outputs.

Apply the situational analysis, Theory of Change and Logical Framework to:

 The Strategic Plan template;

 The Annual Performance Plan template; and

 The Annual Operational Plan template.

From the above you will note that there is a lot of content to be covered within the course. You will also note that the outcomes require prior knowledge pertaining to strategic and annual performance planning, the logic model, the results approach and Theory of Change. To ensure the successful completion of the course, it is therefore necessary for all delegates to engage in some pre-reading, to ensure a thorough basic understanding prior to the commencement of the course. The pre- reading (Key Sources) appear in the next section.

5. Key Sources

Key sources that you should study prior to the commencement of the course include:

Anderson, A.A. 2009. The Community Builder’s approach to Theory of Change: A

Practical Guide to Theory Development. Aspen Institute. Available from:

https://developmenteducation.ie/media/documents/The_Community_Builders_App roach_to_Theory_of_Change.pdf (Accessed: 04 May 2019);

 Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME). (n.d.b). Revised Framework for Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans, Pretoria: DPME

 Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME). (n.d.a) Guidelines for the Implementation of the Framework for Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans. Pretoria: DPME

 Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME). 2011. National

Evaluation Policy Framework. Available from:

https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/evaluationpolicyfr amework-approved-11-11-23a.pdf (Accessed: 4 May 2019);

Unit 4 : Logical Framework

Unit 5 :

Application to

Planning Process

(8)

4

Planning Implementation Programmes. Available from:

https://evaluations.dpme.gov.za/images/gallery/Guideline%202.2.3%20Impleme ntation%20%20Programmes%2013%2007%2030.pdf (Accessed: 4 May 2019);

 National Treasury. 2007. Framework for Managing Programme Performance

Information. Available from:

http://www.dpme.gov.za/publications/Policy%20Framework/Framework%20for%

20Managing%20Programme%20Performance%20Information.pdf (Accessed: 4 May 2019);

 South African Government. 2010. Guide to the Outcomes Approach. Available from:

http://www.dpme.gov.za/publications/Guides%20Manuals%20and%20Templates /Guideline%20to%20outcome%20approach.pdf (Accessed: 4 May 2019).

You will note that the website addresses (URLs) of the sources are given if you want to access them online.

Please note that in-depth reading with understanding is required of this pre-reading exercise. The following section therefore provides you with key aspects to take note of whilst you familiarise yourself with the content of the key sources.

6. Conclusion

Please ensure that you are well prepared before the commencement of the course as there will be very limited time available for discussion of concepts and processes outside the scope of the course. Sound knowledge of the content of these sources will also assist you in successfully completing the course.

We are looking forward to your attendance of the course and sincerely hope that it will assist you in improving planning as well as other performance management processes within your institution.

Enjoy the reading!

Analysis Theory of

Planning Context Situational