Home Publications Theory informed implementation and process evaluation guidance

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Authors

E. Santana de Lima, S. Smith, G. Kembhavi-Tam, C. Preece, J Harris and J Lewis (2026)

Partners
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Dartington Service Design Lab

What Works: testing youth employment interventions  · 

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Dartington Service Design Lab
Evaluation panel, Research & evaluation partner

ProgrammeWhat Works: testing youth employment interventions

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About

Dartington Service Design Lab is a research charity.

Working with Youth Futures

Dartington Service Design Lab collaborates with us on research and evaluation activity as a member of our evaluation panel.

Currently, it one of the evaluation partners for our What Works: testing youth employment interventions programme.

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Centre for Evidence and Implementation

Evidence and Research on Youth Employment, Evidence into Action  · 

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Centre for Evidence and Implementation
Evaluation panel, Learning partner, Research & evaluation partner

ProgrammeEvidence and Research on Youth Employment, Evidence into Action

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About

CEI is a global, independent nonprofit dedicated to using the best evidence to improve the lives of children, families, and communities facing adversity. CEI’s international team of researchers and implementation specialists partner with what works centres, organisational leaders and teams, practitioners and policymakers on rigorous evaluation, evidence-informed programme design, and effective implementation and scaling.

Working with Youth Futures

CEI collaborates with us on research and evaluation activity as a member of our evaluation panel.

As Practice Development and Implementation Partner for Evidence into Action, CEI’s primary role is to synthesise and translate current evidence available on On/Off the job training and support delivery partners to apply evidence into existing or pilot programmes and embed and sustain evidence-based practice approaches.

Overview

This cross-sector guidance was produced by CEI, Dartington and Friendhood, and is informed by a rapid evidence review and expert consultation.

It explains the foundations Theory-Informed Implementation and Process Evaluations (TIIPEs) and sets out best-practice principles in designing and delivering TIIPE.

It supports evaluators to:

  • develop and test programme theory
  • develop and test implementation theory
  • design TIIPE alongside impact evaluation
  • generate learning about how programmes work for different groups

What is TIIPE?

TIIPE is an approach that uses programme and implementation theory to systematically explore how programmes are delivered, and how and why outcomes are achieved (or not).

By exploring the mechanisms that drive change, and the contexts in which this change occurs, TIIPE also enhances the understanding of causal pathways, and provides actionable insights for improving, replicating and scaling programmes.

Who is the guidance for?

The guidance is primarily designed for evaluators working with Youth Futures Foundations.

It can be used by evaluators who are conducting TIIPE to:

  • Assess and inform programme design and implementation to determine readiness for impact evaluation.
  • Enhance the learning generated through an impact evaluation, typically a randomised controlled trial (RCT) or quasi-experimental design (QED).

How to use the guidance

Start-to-finish for those new to TIIPE or seeking step-by-step guidance.

Thematically for those focusing on particular topics, such as programme theory or implementation theory.

By evaluation stage for those already conducting a TIIPE, focusing on a particular stage of evaluation.

Download the full guidance PDF and rapid evidence review.

Contents

The guidance is structured around:

  • programme theory: developing and refining a Theory of Change
  • implementation theory: understanding how delivery works in practice
  • integrating programme and implementation theory
  • application across evaluation stages

It has five chapters: 

Chapter 1

Theory-informed implementation and process evaluation Read more about Chapter 1

An introduction TIIPE and how it supports programme design, impact evaluation and decision making.

Chapter 2

Understanding programme theory and implementation theory Read more about Chapter 2

Detail on the theoretical underpinnings, including key constructs, and how to use them as complementary, interconnected frameworks within TIIPE.

Chapter 3

Developing and refining a theory of changeRead more about Chapter 3

Information on what elements to include, markers of good practice, including examples, and key principles for testing and revising the framework.

Chapter 4

Developing and testing implementation theoryRead more about Chapter 4

An overview of what elements to include, markers of good practice, including examples, and key principles for testing and revising the framework according to Youth Futures’ guidelines.

Chapter 5

Incorporating TIIPE across evaluation stagesRead more about Chapter 5

Information on what aspects are most relevant at which each stage, how it can inform stage-specific decisions.

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