Embedding Implementation Science Into the Way Intermediaries and Evaluators Work
By Lauren Tessier, Implementation Support Consultant
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Traditionally, people have thought that the role of implementation science in practice is to provide guidance on how to design, implement, spread, and scale interventions. However, there is also a role for implementation science in guiding how organizations work. The applications of implementation science are broad, and it can be used in diverse ways, from informing the process by which an organization takes on projects to guiding how an organization engages and partners with stakeholders. How is this done in practice?
Integrating implementation science with existing approaches - quality improvement, human centred design, systems thinking, and program evaluation
Some people and organizations may, at first, be reluctant to adopt implementation science approaches, as they believe it will override or replace their existing approach. But the beauty of implementation science is that it is interdisciplinary and highly complementary with other approaches to change and to evaluating change. Because of this, it can actually work in combination with other approaches, such as quality improvement, human centred design, systems thinking, and program evaluation.
How to embed implementation science approaches into the “new way of work”
This is going to get a bit meta so stay with me, but you can use implementation science to guide how you embed implementation science into the way the organization works. The same methods we use to design and implement interventions can be used to change the way the organization operates. We know of many organizations worldwide that are in the process of adopting implementation science into the way they work, but often struggle to know where to start. If you are looking for guidance on how you and your organization can embed implementation science into the way you work, here are 4 steps to get you started.
Picking a process model
In this context, the process model you pick will be used to guide how implementation science is embedded into the way the organization works.
Defining what do you want people to do differently, and importantly, how this aligns with the current way of work.
People will often be less resistant to change if the change is framed as an alternative to current practice or can easily be embedded into current practice. Change is harder when people feel it’s “an extra thing” they have to do.
Getting buy-in at multiple levels of the organization to use implementation science.
The process of generating buy-in is where art meets science. If you’re unsure of where to start or how to go about getting buy-in, check out our video about getting buy-in for implementation science.
Building tools, training, technical assistance, and fidelity metrics.
This step ensures that the organization and the people within it who have to change feel supported and equipped in doing so and that there will be ways to measure whether the process of embedding implementation science into the organization went as planned and produced the desired results. It is important that these supports are built in a thoughtful and sustainable way. What this means will look different for every organization, but it is useful to consider how these supports can be embedded into existing processes and practices.
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