Complexity Theory of Outcome Creation

The Complexity Theory of Outcome Creation (CTOC) is a framework that moves beyond the traditional, linear approach to public services, suggesting instead that social outcomes are the result of complex interactions within systems. It critiques the Rationalist Theory of Outcome Creation, which presumes a direct causality between services and outcomes.

CTOC calls on organizations to acknowledge their roles within a broader network of outcome-influential factors, to appreciate the uniqueness of individual experiences when designing interventions, and to be flexible enough to modify programs in line with evolving goals and contexts.

To effectively deal with this complexity, organizations should foster three core capabilities through a learning partnership:

• Stewardship, to manage systems with creativity and resilience
• Coordination, to align diverse stakeholders and resources
• Adaptation, to adjust strategies in response to changing conditions