This presentation reaches beyond traditional program theories to describe other types of models that evaluators have used to design program theories. Some evaluators have used concept maps to depict key concepts in a program theory. Concept maps can be particularly useful in unpacking mechanisms and outcomes and in documenting changes in these before and after a program is implemented. Other evaluators have used network maps to display relationships between people, organizations, themes, or other entities in the form of spiderweb-like diagrams. For program theories, network maps can be used to depict program outcomes related to social networks, partnerships, collaborations, social capital, organizational cohesion, and interconnectedness. Finally, some evaluators have used path models to visualize how program activities are statistically associated with specific outcomes. More developed path models also include contextual conditions—within which the program is embedded—that can influence the ability of the program to generate the desired outcomes.
