Network Evaluation Tool 2
Weaver's Triangle for Networks

See also

Introduction to network evaluation tools

Tool 1: Contributions Assessment

Tool 3. Channels of Participation

PDF of this tool

A simple way to clarify aims, objectives and activities.

This tool is a simple exercise to distinguish what you do from why you are doing it. It helps you to see how you link what you do to why you are doing it, and what the underlying theory of your work is.

It is useful to complete the triangle with other people, as you can begin to see how your perspectives and understandings of the work you are doing either converge or diverge.

Given that a central part of a network’s work is that of facilitating the exchange and connection between members, the triangle is divided into two, to allow action aims and process aims to have equal weight.

OVERALL AIM
This tells everyone why the network exists and the change you wish to bring about. It summarises the difference that you want to make. Overall aims are general aims.

OBJECTIVES
These are more specific statements about the differences the network hopes to bring about. There will usually be several, which will explain why you have chosen to do what you are doing.

ACTIVITIES
These describe the practical steps which you take to achieve the objectives. They say what the network will do. They are often called outputs.

Monitoring starts with the bottom section of the triangle, evaluation in the middle. An example of a completed triangle is shown below.

Example (not all aspects are shown)

This is one of three tools developed by Madeline Church, University College London. See Introduction to network evaluation tools for further details.