VVOB / Brookings Scalability Checklist

1. Homogeneous Setting - an environment or context that is consistent across different locations or populations, facilitating the implementation of standardised solutions without the need for significant adaptation.

2. Economy - the economic conditions of the target area, including factors such as income levels, economic stability, and funding availability, which can impact the scalability of educational initiatives.

3. Demonstrable Support - visible and measurable backing from educators and key staff within the education system, particularly those in adopting government institutions.

4. Opposition - resistance or reluctance from stakeholders or influential individuals that can hinder the scaling process.

5. Collaborative Relationships - the existence of strong, cooperative interactions between the originating, intermediary, and adopting organisations.

6. Policy Priority - the degree to which the issue addressed by the initiative is high on the national policy agenda, with demonstrated political will for implementation.

7. Policy Consistency - the alignment of an educational initiative with existing government policies, regulations, and the structure of the education system.

8. Government Budget Integration - the process of incorporating the costs of implementing an initiative at scale into the official budgets of national or sub-national government entities.

9. Politics - the political environment and governmental structures of the target area, including stability, policy support, and regulatory frameworks, which can influence the ease of scaling educational initiatives.

10. Infrastructure - the physical and organisational structures, facilities, and resources needed for the implementation and scaling.

11. Physical Presence - the existence of the adopting organisation in the regions or areas where the initiative will be scaled.

12. Systems - the comprehensive and interconnected structures, policies, practices, and resources within the education sector.

13. Current Practices - the established methods and routines followed by educators and key staff in the education system.

14. Language - the primary language or languages spoken by the target population, which can affect the implementation and scalability of educational materials and communication strategies.

15. Human Resources - the personnel, including educators, administrators, and support staff.

16. Homogeneous Target Group - a group of individuals or entities that share similar characteristics or needs, which allows for the application of a single, consistent intervention strategy.

17. Leadership Coalition - a stable group of influential leaders from various sectors committed to the change and working collaboratively to support the initiative.

18. Initiative Structure - the clarity and organisation of the initiative's components, including roles, processes, practices, and deliverables.

19. Operational Capacity - the ability of the adopting organisation to implement the initiative at scale, including the necessary systems, delivery agents, and financial resources.

20. Consistency With Organisational Norms - the established and accepted behaviours, values, and practices within an organisation that guide how work is conducted and decisions are made.

21. Need - the extent to which the target groups perceive the problem addressed by the initiative as pressing and crucial.

22. Urgency - the intensity of the perceived need to address the problem, compelling prompt action from stakeholders.

23. Incentives - the motivations within the adopting organisation that can drive commitment and effort towards scaling.

24. Visibility - the extent to which the impact of an educational initiative is noticeable and recognisable.

25. Decision Maker Involvement - the participation of key decision-makers in the process of agreeing to adopt and implement an initiative.

26. Experience Scaling - the prior experience of the adopting and intermediary organisations in scaling similar interventions.

27. Organisational Credibility - the trust and legitimacy the adopting organisation holds within relevant contexts, supported by a strong network and recognised presence.

28. Level Of Funds Needed - taking the initiative to scale requires small amounts of funding that can easily be mobilised internally or externally.

29. Internally Mobilised Funds - funding sourced from within the adopting or implementing organisation.

30. Externally Mobilised Funds - funding that can be sourced from external entities.

31. Key Implementing Organisations' Budgets - the financial plans and allocations of the primary organisations responsible for executing the initiative.

32. Geography - the physical location and characteristics of an area where an educational initiative is implemented, which can influence the scalability based on factors such as accessibility, climate, and regional infrastructure.

33. Homogeneous Problem - a problem that is similar across different settings, target groups, or contexts, making it easier to apply a uniform solution at scale.

34. Eminence - the level of support the initiative receives from influential and prominent individuals or institutions.

35. Heterogeneity - the presence of diverse characteristics within the problem, target groups, or settings, including variations in geography, language, economy, and politics.

36. Compelling Strategy - a strategy that is not only clear but also convincing and motivating to stakeholders, demonstrating the benefits and potential impact of scaling the initiative.

37. Clear Strategy - a comprehensive plan designed to achieve specific goals by outlining key actions, responsibilities, timelines, and resources required for successful implementation and sustainability.

38. Monitorable - the ease with which the uptake and quality of implementation of the initiative can be observed and assessed

What is your evidence for the successful implementation of your innovation?

What is your plan for external evaluation in the initiative's current setting?

What is the significance of the problem ithe innovation addresses?

How have you established your innovation's comparative effectiveness?

How would you test your innovation on a limited scale?

How complex is your innovation?

How much lower is the cost fo your innovation than that of other similar innovations?

What are some predictable cost implications?

How justifiable are the costs?

What is the current state of affairs in the context your innovation is operating in?

Does your innovation currently work in a homogenous setting?

What is the economy in which your innovation operates?

What kinds of support have been demonstrated by those who are adopting your innovation?

How much opposition does your innovation face?

How strong are the collaborative relationships between you, your intermediaries, and the adopting organisations?

How high on the policy agenda is the issue your innovation addresses?

How consistent is your innovation with the policy of the education system?

How can the cost of implementation be integrated into a government budget?

What is the political situation in which your innovation is operating?'

What infrastructure is already present in the education system?

What kind of physical presence does the adopting organisation have?

What is the state of the education system where your innovation would operate?

How do current educator practices fit with your innovation's needs?

What is the language in which your innovation operates?

What human resources are already present within the education system?

Does your innovation target a homogenous group?

How strong is the leadership coalition supporting the change(s) made by your innovation?

How structured is your innovation?

How much capacity is available for operation of your innovation?

How consistent is the innovation with the norms of the adopting organisation?

How sharply is the need for this innovation felt by the potential target groups?

How strong is the sense of urgency for this problem to be solved by your innovation?

How consistent is the innovation with the incentives of the adopting organisation?

How visible is the impact of your innovation?

How many decision makers need to be invovled in agreeing to the adoption of your innovation?

How much experience do the adopting and intermediary orgs have in scaling similar interventions?

What level of credibility does the adopting organisation have?

How much funding do you need?

How can you mobilise funds internally?

How can you mobilise funds externally?

How can the cost of implementation be integrated into the budget of other implementing organisation(s)?

What is the geography in which your innovation operates?

Does your innovation address a homogenous problem?

How eminent is the support for your innovation?

What is your evidence for successful contextuality of your innovation?

What is compelling about your strategy for reaching scale?

What is your strategy for reaching scale?

How much monitoring is required for quality implementation?