Figure 4. Contribution Analysis Process

Figure four illustrates a seven-step process for undertaking a contribution analysis.

The steps are as follows:

• Step 1: Set out the cause-effect issue to be addressed.
• Step 2: Develop the theory of change.
• Step 3: Assess the resulting contribution story.
• Step 4: Gather the existing evidence on the theory of change.
• Step 5: Reassess the contribution story and challenges to it.
• Step 6: Seek out additional empirical evidence.
• Step 7: Revise and strengthen the contribution story.

At step 7, there is an arrow that points back toward the gap between Step 4 and Step 5. The arrow indicates that the process, even though it is laid out as seven steps, is not intended to be linear. Rather, some steps are iterative and will require the evaluator to go back to earlier steps, based on new information and understandings that arise.

Return to Figure 4. Contribution Analysis Process