Developing the Scaling Assessment & Discussion Tool

14 Dec

There are numerous technologies, activities, and practices that could be used to assist communities, but we frequently fail to step back and consider our possibilities and often do not visualize integration and scaling of such technologies in communities. Part of the Rupantar project’s objective is to critically assess existing scaling interventions; this has led to the development of the Scaling Assessment and Discussion (ScAD) Tool. This tool was developed to help organizations strategically assess 'how to scale' their promoted activities in particular communities in an inclusive manner.

The ScAD tool was developed after conducting a thorough review of the existing literature that discussed scaling interventions from around the globe. This tool comprises of 14 modules that capture key elements used to assess different decisions in the scaling process: a. ''What to scale - which technology/practice?", b. How to scale - which intervention?", and c. "Who to scale implement the intervention - which organisation?".

The first version of the tool was shared and tested with project partners in Nepal (Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Province 1 , local Co-operatives), India (Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (UBKV), Satmile Satish Club O Pathagar (SSCOP) and Bangladesh (RDRS, Bangladesh Agricultural University BAU)) in country specific one-day workshops on 15th, 18th and 19th of November, to understand the process of scaling and intervention via the tool, and the options and strategies for scaling diversification strategies in their regional locations.

Overall, workshop participants found the tool useful for envisioning the different possibilities provided by the tool based on intended interventions, target population, and selection of potential entities and activities to scale out. Learnings included developing a visual aid to support users select target population and the marginalized groups within the target population, simplified language to suit a diverse group of users, and prioritizing different resources when ranking constraints and activities. Feedback from the discussion sessions provided significant suggestions to further refine the tool for wider use.

If you are interested in knowing more about the ScAD Tool, please contact Anjana Chaudhary at a.chaudhary@cimmyt.org.