Journal article
Saving Lives at Birth; development of a retrospective theory of change, impact framework and prioritised metrics
Globalization and health, Vol.14(1), 13
01/29/2018
DOI: 10.1186/s12992-018-0327-z
PMCID: PMC5789747
PMID: 29378667
Abstract
Background
Grand Challenges for international health and development initiatives have received substantial funding to tackle unsolved problems; however, evidence of their effectiveness in achieving change is lacking. A theory of change may provide a useful tool to track progress towards desired outcomes. The Saving Lives at Birth partnership aims to address inequities in maternal-newborn survival through the provision of strategic investments for the development, testing and transition-to-scale of ground-breaking prevention and treatment approaches with the potential to leapfrog conventional healthcare approaches in low resource settings. We aimed to develop a theory of change and impact framework with prioritised metrics to map the initiative’s contribution towards overall goals, and to measure progress towards improved outcomes around the time of birth.
Methods
A theory of change and impact framework was developed retrospectively, drawing on expertise across the partnership and stakeholders. This included a document and literature review, and wide consultation, with feedback from stakeholders at all stages. Possible indicators were reviewed from global maternal-newborn health-related partner initiatives, priority indicator lists, and project indicators from current innovators. These indicators were scored across five domains to prioritise those most relevant and feasible for Saving Lives at Birth. These results informed the identification of the prioritised metrics for the initiative.
Results
The pathway to scale through Saving Lives at Birth is articulated through a theory of change and impact framework, which also highlight the roles of different actors involved in the programme.
A prioritised metrics toolkit, including ten core impact indicators and five additional process indicators, complement the theory of change. The retrospective nature of this development enabled structured reflection of the program mechanics, allowing for inclusion of learning from the first four rounds of the program to inform implementation of subsequent rounds.
Conclusions
While theories of change are more traditionally developed before program implementation, retrospective development can still be a useful exercise for multi-round programs like Saving Lives at Birth, where outputs from the development can be used to strengthen subsequent rounds. However, identifying a uniform set of prioritised metrics for use across the portfolio proved more challenging. Lessons learnt from this exercise will be relevant to the development of pathways to change across other Grand Challenges and global health platforms.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Saving Lives at Birth; development of a retrospective theory of change, impact framework and prioritised metrics
- Creators
- Marek Lalli - London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineHarriet Ruysen - London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineHannah Blencowe - London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineKristen Yee - Grand Challenges CanadaKaren Clune - United States Agency for International DevelopmentMary DeSilva - London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineMarissa Leffler - United States Agency for International DevelopmentEmily Hillman - United States Agency for International DevelopmentHaitham El-Noush - Norwegian Agency for Development CooperationJo Mulligan - Department for International DevelopmentJeffrey C. Murray - Gates FoundationKarlee Silver - Grand Challenges CanadaJoy E. Lawn - London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Globalization and health, Vol.14(1), 13
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12992-018-0327-z
- PMID
- 29378667
- PMCID
- PMC5789747
- NLM abbreviation
- Global Health
- ISSN
- 1744-8603
- eISSN
- 1744-8603
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Grant note
- ;
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/29/2018
- Academic Unit
- Anatomy and Cell Biology; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Epidemiology; Pediatric Dentistry; Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center; Dental Research
- Record Identifier
- 9985034988802771
Metrics
3 Record Views