What exactly is a theory of action? And, what makes for a good theory of action? This spotlight article explores common theories of action, both implicit and explicit, and makes recommendations for crafting an effective theory of action.

For more on theories of action, please see the accompanying Manager's Toolkit: Developing and Refining a Theory of Action. This spotlight by DMC's Nicholas Morgan and Nathan Levenson was originally printed in the Fall 2011 volume of The District Management Journal.