Learning Approach

Overview

Torres Consulting Group uses a distinctive learning approach which is collaborative, participatory, and designed to meet immediate and long-term information needs to help organizations learn and succeed.


Driven by our strong belief in inquiry-based learning, the approach features:


  1. A systems level focus

  2. Use of theories of change and logic models

  3. Analysis of characteristics of stakeholder groups

  4. Grounding of our work within each organization’s structures and culture

  5. Efficiency in the inquiry effort

  6. Use of quantitative and qualitative methods

  7. Opportunities for reflection, examination of underlying assumptions, and dialog

  8. Cultural sensitivity

Further, to maximize our work’s meaningfulness and utility, Torres Consulting Group will create readily comprehensible presentations and reports which enable the assimilation of complex information; and facilitate working sessions with clients and stakeholders to review and interpret findings, and support action planning.


We apply this learning approach to all of our services:


  1. Program evaluation

  2. Design of evaluation systems for organizations

  3. Professional development workshops on research and evaluation topics

  4. Market analysis for educational and social service programs

  5. Specialized research and evaluation services

Specific Features

Systems level focus which continuously strives to articulate the relationships between and among various system elements, and connects inquiry efforts and findings both across elements and to overall goals.


Grounding of our evaluation work in a theory of change (describing the underlying causal model) and logic models describing the relationship between activities and outcomes for specific initiatives and programs), which are developed collaboratively on the basis of client and stakeholder views and experiences, prior research and evaluation findings, as well as more general theoretical and empirical work. Theories of change and logic models provide guiding frameworks for:


  1. reaching common understanding about the underlying causal model as well as activities and outcomes across multiple levels of an organization or initiative

  2. developing key inquiry questions

  3. facilitating learning for overall organizational success, initiative improvements and program area developments, and increased efficiency and effectiveness

Analysis of characteristics of stakeholder groups and organizations to support design and use of communicating and reporting strategies throughout our work, promoting engagement in inquiry processes and ongoing learning from its findings.


The grounding of our work within particular organizational structures and cultures that includes a candid assessment of resources (including staffing, finances and time constraints) as well as internal and external political will and climate.


Abiding attention to maximizing the efficiency of the inquiry effort and creating an optimal balance between information needs and available resources.


Use of both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods as appropriate to the inquiry questions.


Opportunities for reflection, examination of underlying assumptions, and dialogue among evaluators, organizational leadership and staff, and other stakeholders as appropriate.


Commitment to cultural sensitivity, including the use of language reflective of stakeholder cultures and multiple representations of reports as needed.