The Beginning with the end in mind tool offers recommendations for designing and implementing a pilot, demonstration or implementation research project with scaling up in mind. This document is based on the premise that if scaling up is intended, one should “begin with the end in mind” and take steps to design the pilot in ways that enhance its potential for future large-scale impact.
This guide contains 12 recommendations on how to design pilot projects with scaling up in mind, as well as a checklist that provides a quick overview of the scalability of a project that is being planned, proposed, or in the process of implementation. Based on a combination of a comprehensive review of multiple literatures, field experience and a conceptual framework, the guide is intended for use by researchers, policy-planners, programme managers, technical-assistance providers, donors and others who seek to ensure that pilot or other programmatic research is designed in ways that lead to lasting and larger-scale impact. It is written with reference to the health field but its recommendations can be applied to other areas as well. In this guide, pilot or field tests include demonstration projects, implementation or operations research, tests of policy changes, proof-of-concept studies, etc. The guide is deliberately brief and can stand alone, but using it in conjunction with other ExpandNet/ World Health Organization (WHO) resource materials will be helpful.
