4.6 Positive Deviance Analysis (Sternin)

Finds people already succeeding locally and spreads their strategies. Launch on platform.

What is it?

Positive Deviance, developed by researchers including Jerry Sternin and Monique Sternin, is a practical, strengths-based approach to solving complex problems by identifying and learning from individuals or groups who, despite facing similar challenges and constraints, consistently achieve better outcomes. Positive Deviance helps leaders discover existing solutions within their communities or organizations, leveraging hidden insights to drive sustainable change.

Why is it useful?

Applying Positive Deviance helps you to:

Uncover existing solutions: Identify practical solutions already succeeding in challenging contexts.

Amplify effective behaviors: Clearly define and share behaviors that drive successfuloutcomes.

Accelerate sustainable change: Leverage internal successes to achieve faster, deeper, lasting impacts.

Enhance community engagement: Involve communities directly, increasing buy-in, ownership, and sustainability of changes.

How does it work?

Positive Deviance involves clearly following five key steps:

1

Define the Problem

• Characteristics: Clearly articulate the specific, observable issue you want to solve.

• Approach: Focus explicitly on observable, measurable behaviors or outcomes.

• Example: Poor nutritional outcomes in children, high infection rates in hospitals.

2

Identify Positive Deviants

• Characteristics: Find individuals or groups in similar conditions who consistently achieve better outcomes.

• Approach: Clearly locate and learn from these “positive deviants.”

• Example: Families achieving good child nutrition despite poverty, hospitals with significantly lower infection rates.

3

Analyze Positive Deviant Behaviors

• Characteristics: Clearly identify specific behaviors or practices enabling better outcomes.

• Approach: Observe and document what positive deviants do differently and consistently.

• Example: Handwashing techniques used by hospital staff, feeding practices of parents ensuring child nutrition.

4

Share and Amplify Successful Practices

• Characteristics: Clearly communicate and disseminate successful practices throughout the community or organization.

• Approach: Actively encourage and enable others to adopt these proven practices.

• Example: Peer-to-peer demonstrations, storytelling, practical workshops.

5

Monitor and Sustain Changes

• Characteristics: Regularly track adoption and impact of these behaviors, refining approaches based on feedback.


• Approach: Ensure continued practice through monitoring, coaching, and celebrating successes.


• Example: Periodic health outcome monitoring, regular staff training sessions, ongoing community feedback loops.

Turning Positive Deviance into Action

To practically apply Positive Deviance:


• Engage community clearly: Involve those impacted directly in identifying and 
adopting solutions.

• Encourage peer learning: Facilitate sharing of successful practices through visible 
examples and storytelling.

• Measure and reinforce continuously: Regularly monitor outcomes, adapting 
strategies based on observed results.