Outcomes theory covers territory described by theories from a number of other disciplines. The best way to think of outcomes theory is to think of it as looking across a set of phenomena from a novel perspective. As with any theory, it should stand or fall on whether it provides potential users with a sufficiently parsimonious and accurate account of a set of phenomena which interests them. If it is to be successful, outcomes theory will also need to prove more useful to such users than any of the other theories (or mix of theories) with which they currently view the set of phenomena addressed by outcomes theory.
Other theories which theorize some of the same phenomena as outcomes theory are listed below. In each case their particular relevance to outcomes theory is noted and the major claimed added value from outcomes theory is identified. The intention of this section is to highlight the contribution of outcomes theory in the areas it examines. In many instances, those using these existing theories may prefer to continue to use their formulation of the relevant problems and issues as these will be linked in conceptual language and existing usage with other aspects of the particular theory they are using.
- Evaluation theory - Outcomes theory draws on evaluation theory in various ways, for instance, firstly, quantitative outcome evaluation to comprehensively specify possible high-level outcome attribution evaluation designs; and secondly, the insights of theory based program evaluation regarding the importance of intervention logics in conceptualizing an evaluation. In turn, in its practical manifestation (as Outcomes Is It Working Analysis (OIIWA)), outcomes theory offers evaluation the following: a conceptual and practical way of linking indicator monitoring and more one-off evaluation; a systematic and standard way of setting out an evaluation plan; a concise treatment of the issue of the feasibility and affordability of high-level outcome attribution evaluation designs; a way of conceptualizing the integration of formative, process and outcome evaluation; and a systematic way of specifying which approach one is adopting to overall monitoring and evaluation strategy. Evaluators currently spend a great deal of time recovering the same ground in each evaluation plan they develop dealing with the issue of attribution, high-level outcome attribution evaluation design feasibility and describing the overall evaluation strategy being adopted in a particular evaluation. OIIWA offers the possibility of concisely and comprehensively specifying the feasibility and affordability of high-level outcome attribution evaluation designs (in regard to seven such designs) and overall evaluation and monitoring strategy (in regard to five such designs).
- Accountancy - Outcomes theory draws on accounting's attention to the importance of specifying controllable and attributable indicators of an organization's activity. Outcomes theory adds value to accountancy because it provides a way of complementing the collection of an organization's financial accounting results with a rigorous methodology for dealing with non-controllable and not-necessarily attributable indicators and incorporates the possibility of various types of high-level outcomes attribution evaluation designs. It also enables a "mapping" of what is known, what is not known and what it is feasibile and affordable to know in regard to an organization's outcomes so that accountancy can be clear about exactly how far it is going in terms of measurability and mananging risk.
- Economics - Outcomes theory draws on economic's agency theory's insights into the issue of risk about the achievement of outcomes being a central issue in the relationship between a control organization (principle) and an intervention organization (agent). Outcomes theory adds value by: providing a comprehensive treatment of the relationship between different types of indicators and evaluation; the specification of lower level evaluation questions; the importance of building hierarchical causal maps (outcomes hierarchies) within outcomes sets (e.g. moving beyond the simple distinction sometimes made in agency theory between behavioral and outcome measures); systematically treating decision-making about the robustness and feasibility of high-level outcome attribution designs; the specification of a set of overall monitoring and evaluation strategies; and dealing more easily with the situation of collaborations between multiple parties in multiple roles collaboratively working towards the achievement of the same outcomes. By clearly mapping what is known, what is not known and what it is feasible and affordable to know in any domain, outcomes theory allows the building of sound business and economic models where all stakeholders are clearly aware of the degree of uncertainity around all of the estimates which are put into such models. This is usually not the case with economic models with most higher-level stakeholders who actually use the output of such models having little understanding of the degree of uncertainity around the estimates economists and business analysts have put these such models.
- Psychology - Outcomes theory has some relevance to attribution theory in psychology. Outcomes theory adds value by moving beyond just looking at the causal attributions people make when they observe the behavior of others which is the area of study of attribution theory within psychology.
- Theory of science - Outcomes theory draws on theory of science and evidence based practice perspectives in the applied sciences regarding the difference between scientific methods which make claims as to causality and those which only attempt to describe phenomena. Outcomes theory adds value by providing for both types of activity within an outcomes, evaluation or monitoring system through the separate specification of high-level outcomes attribution evaluation designs combined with the identification of lower level evaluation questions. It also provides a clear treatment of when it is (and when it is not) appropriate to integrate evidence across different intervention classes in evidence based practice.
- Philosophy and logic - Outcomes theory draws on philosophy and logic's description of possible types of causes and effects. Outcomes theory adds value by providing practical tools for using causal analysis in practical organizational and sector outcomes intervention implementation planning.
- Management/organizational theory - Outcomes theory draws on management/organizational theory particularly in regard to the notion of management by objectives. It adds value by providing a systematic treatment which can be used to describe phenomena such as: strategic planning processes, balanced scorecard, strategy maps, triple-bottom line reporting, performance management, managing for outcomes, results based management, and scenario planning. It provides an integrated generic approach for processes currently described under different names (e.g. strategic planning processes, the balanced scorecard, strategy maps); it provides a rigourous way of dealing with the problems (difficulty of measuring social and environmental outcomes) which are likely to arise in the area of triple-bottom line reporting; and it also obviously also provides a robust generic treatment of the problems and possibilities in managing performance and outcomes.
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