Replicability of Projects and Programs

The Basic Issue

Programs which are developed in one community context may not be replicable in another. Even if the community is the same, programs which are effective at one time may not be applicable at a later time. People change over time both as individuals and as social entities. It is necessary to be alert to these changes when adapting existing programs to a new community or context.

There are several ways in which replicability can be enhanced:

• Remember that it is more important to get the right question than to get the "right answer to the wrong question". If time is taken to look at what the current situation actually is, rather than what we "know" that it is, we are more likely to come up with appropriate solutions for today's needs for any particular community.
• Participative action research is a good preliminary step to carry out prior to commitment to new programs. The current research gives new information as to current conditions and needs, and the participative element develops ownership by the community from the outset.
• Commitment to the question rather than commitment to any particular answer (or program) generally serves to keep things on track. If a particular answer fails to resolve the issue, a commitment to the question will keep the community looking for an answer which does resolve the question.

• Learn to "burn chesterfields" and create some sense of felt need. When I was working at a summer camp the manager burned several old ratty chesterfields which were useless in order to create a felt need. Within a few days, he had donations of much better ones. If old programs are shut down often it creates a contest to create new ones. A "moratorium" for a set period can often create the space within which re-assessment can take place.

• Have a "scouting committee" whose task it is to assemble a pool of new ideas on any number of program areas, and do preliminary assembly of options. The internet is a wonderful resource now for checking out the pros and cons of new approaches to old problems.

Off-Line Resources

On-line Resources