Replication and Scaling Up: Where to from Here? - Combating Desertification in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - page 431

Experience has led to development of 8 key steps related to the first two
phases of the change process (i.e., creating readiness and initial implementation).
These are organized into four “stages.” The stages are conceived in terms of the
need to intervene in ways that (1) develop a strong argument, (2) mobilize interest,
consensus, and support among key stakeholders, (3) clarify feasibility, and (4)
proceed with specific systemic changes.
Box 21.1: Eight Steps to Scaling Up
The scaling-up process requires a tremendous amount of negotiation,
diplomacy, patience, flexibility, time and resources to be successful.
1. Establish that the technical intervention, methodology or approach that is
being considered for scaling up leads to desired results through carefully
evaluated and documented research.
2. Assess possibilities for scaling up (need, available resources, political will,
potential partners, etc.) and potential barriers to scaling up (opponents and
their arguments, policies, etc.).
3. Build consensus for scaling up among decision makers, implementers
and leaders of those who participate in the program use the intervention
through meetings, presentations, field visits, etc. with key individuals and
groups.
4. Ensure that policies are supportive and that resources will be available.
5. Develop plans/proposals with decision-makers and implementers on the
organizational structure and relationships of the scale-up, activities, man-
agement, monitoring and evaluation, training and technical assistance, etc.
Program designs or interventions should be simplified as much as possible
and should be accessible in “user friendly” language.
6. Be prepared to solicit many donors and negotiate many hours in order
to put all pieces into place. The amount of funding needed for large
scale programs is often not available through only one donor. Negotiate
contracts, budgets, work plans.
7. Prepare training and technical assistance teams and matter to work at
regional or other level depending on organizational structure. Be flexible
and adapt to meet local conditions whenever possible without losing
essential elements of quality.
8. Program implementers meet regularly on local, regional and national
levels to monitor progress, detect problems, develop innovative solu-
tions/approaches, strengthen skills and build team. Ensure that represen-
tatives from those who are participating in the program (community men
and women, etc.) participate in monitoring and evaluation at a minimum at
the local level