review · Feedback, Retrospective · 60–120 min · 3-20 people · low energy

Stories of Change

Stories of Change capture the impact of a program or intervention through specific narratives of events, highlighting the changes that have occurred as a result. They provide rich qualitative data and illustrate the human impact of the work.

When to use Stories of Change

Use this method when you want to understand the impact of a program or intervention from the perspective of the people who have been affected by it, and to gather compelling evidence of change.

What it solves

Difficulty capturing the human impact of a program, lack of compelling evidence, limited understanding of unintended consequences.

How to run Stories of Change, step by step

  1. Explain the purpose of the Stories of Change exercise and provide examples of effective stories. (15 min)
  2. Participants individually reflect on their experiences and identify a story that illustrates a significant change. (20 min)
  3. Participants write or record their stories, focusing on the beginning, middle, and end of the event. (30 min)
  4. Participants share their stories with the group, discussing the key themes and lessons learned. (30 min)

Materials needed

  • Paper
  • Pens
  • Computer
  • Projector
  • Audio recorder (optional)
  • Video recorder (optional)
  • Shared document or online platform

Facilitator tips

  • Create a safe and supportive environment for sharing stories.
  • Encourage participants to focus on the specific details of the event and the changes that occurred.
  • Be prepared to facilitate discussions and help the group identify key themes and lessons learned.

Common pitfalls

  • Stories that are too general or abstract. Encourage participants to focus on specific events.
  • Stories that are not clearly linked to the program or intervention. Ensure that the stories illustrate the impact of the work.

Variations

  • Use different prompts to guide the story-telling process.
  • Incorporate visual aids or multimedia elements to enhance the stories.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a shared document or online platform to collect and share stories. Encourage participants to use video or audio recordings to enhance their stories.

What it produces

A collection of stories that document the changes that have occurred as a result of the program or intervention.

Origin

Adapted from BetterEvaluation.org — source

Build a session around Stories of Change

METODIC places Stories of Change inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

Generate a session with Stories of Change · Try METODIC free