% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
% Please edit documentation in R/theory.R
\name{mb_theory_of_change}
\alias{mb_theory_of_change}
\title{Build a Magenta Book theory of change}
\usage{
mb_theory_of_change(
  inputs,
  activities,
  outputs,
  outcomes,
  impact,
  assumptions = NULL,
  external_factors = NULL,
  name = NULL
)
}
\arguments{
\item{inputs}{Character vector of resources committed to the
policy: funding, staff, infrastructure, partnerships.}

\item{activities}{Character vector of what the policy does with
those inputs: design, delivery, communication, enforcement.}

\item{outputs}{Character vector of direct, countable products of
the activities: training sessions delivered, leaflets posted,
payments made.}

\item{outcomes}{Character vector of changes the outputs produce
in the target population, typically over months to a few years:
behaviour change, attitudes, take-up.}

\item{impact}{Character vector of long-term, ultimate goals the
outcomes contribute to: poverty reduction, decarbonisation,
improved health.}

\item{assumptions}{Optional character vector of assumptions that
must hold for each level to translate into the next.}

\item{external_factors}{Optional character vector of contextual
factors outside the policy's control that may affect outcomes.}

\item{name}{Optional character scalar naming the policy or
programme.}
}
\value{
An \code{mb_toc} object: a list with one element per level
plus optional \code{assumptions}, \code{external_factors}, \code{name}, and
\code{vintage}.
}
\description{
Constructs a five-level logic model in the form set out by the
HM Treasury Magenta Book: inputs → activities → outputs →
outcomes → impact, with optional assumptions and external
factors.
}
\details{
The Magenta Book theory of change is the foundation for every
subsequent evaluation step. It makes the implicit causal chain
explicit so that evaluation questions can be tied to specific
levels and indicators can be defined.
}
\examples{
toc <- mb_theory_of_change(
  inputs     = c("GBP 50m grant", "12 FTE programme team"),
  activities = c("Design training", "Deliver workshops"),
  outputs    = c("500 workshops delivered", "8000 attendees"),
  outcomes   = c("Improved skills", "Increased confidence"),
  impact     = "Higher employment among target group",
  assumptions = "Workshops cause skills uplift",
  external_factors = "Macro labour market remains stable",
  name = "Skills uplift programme"
)
toc
}
\references{
HM Treasury (2020). The Magenta Book: Central Government
Guidance on Evaluation, chapter on theory-based evaluation.
\url{https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-magenta-book}.
}
\seealso{
\code{\link[=mb_logframe]{mb_logframe()}}, \code{\link[=mb_assumptions]{mb_assumptions()}}.

Other theory of change: 
\code{\link{mb_assumptions}()},
\code{\link{mb_logframe}()}
}
\concept{theory of change}
