Rapid-cycle learning — an iterative method of quickly testing strategies for program improvement — is a low-stakes approach to strengthening programs. It aids practitioners in piloting small scale strategies before implementing them program- or agency-wide.
Integrating Equity From the Start
However, for the process to be effective, equity principles must be integrated from the start. This early focus ensures that the people most affected by the program are also involved in shaping all aspects of the work. To help create a foundation of equity-infused learning — with full participation from all program participants and staff — practitioners should consider the following:
forming a diverse advisory group for planning;
prioritizing collaborative communication and documentation of the advisory group’s goals, expectations and norms;
ensuring advisory group clarity on the components of equity-infused, rapid-cycle work;
practicing proactive communication throughout the learning process;
adopting strategies for addressing power imbalances;
offering compensation for program participant contributions; and
leveraging opportunities to foster a culture of learning, innovation and cultural responsiveness.
The Three Phases of Improvement
The first phase of an improvement effort focuses on understanding an organization’s readiness for change and identifying any challenges that could hinder progress.
In phase two, staff, clients and community partners work together to create strategies for improvement. These collaborators give weight to community-based expertise and elevate improvements that will do the most good for all.
The third phase involves testing solutions on a small scale — such as with a few staff members or in support of a few families — collecting and analyzing data about how the strategy worked and co-creating improvements for the strategy in an iterative process.
For each phase, the guide offers practical suggestions integrating equity principles into the process, building off the foundation established through the preliminary work. Examples from the case study accompany these suggestions to illustrate what a rapid-cycle learning process might look like in practice.
Making the jump from small-scale equity to large-scale results
Rapid-cycle learning embraces small scale and iterative testing that makes it an appealing, low-stakes method for improving programs and services. But, achieving equitable outcomes is only possible when equity and inclusion principles are incorporated from the get-go.
Findings & Stats
Key Components of Rapid-cycle Learning
While there are different definitions of rapid-cycle learning, this guide refers to a four-part process. These parts are:
identifying and learning about program challenges;
developing and testing a strategy in a low-stakes, small-scale way;
collecting information to examine how the strategy is working; and
improving the strategy before scaling at the program or agency level.
Factors for a Good Fit
This report identifies factors that make rapid-cycle learning a good fit for your organization. These factors include the presence of an emerging challenge; an opportunity to test an existing, evidence-based practice; and a desire to develop evidence on a shorter timeline than a traditional evaluation affords.
Tips for Creating an Inclusive Environment
Practitioners should work to create an environment that values all voices and wisdom. Four ways they can do this are:
setting expectations with leadership in advance;
taking time to build relationships;
using structured activities to promote participation; and
periodically assessing group dynamics.
Statements & Quotations
By taking the time to refine strategies and pilot them on a small scale, organizations can promote buy-in for change and reduce the fatigue that can come from rolling out a change without first understanding how it might work.
Be intentional about engaging frontline staff, community partners, and families during the analysis phase, because these experts can ground results in the community, program, and organizational context.
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