5.5 Positive Deviance
Finds people already succeeding locally and spreads their strategies. Launch on platform.
What is it?
Positive Deviance is a strengths-based approach to solving complex problems by identifying individuals or groups who, despite facing similar constraints, consistently achieve better outcomes. It uncovers existing solutions within communities or organisations and scales them.
Why is it useful?
Applying Positive Deviance helps you to:
Uncover existing solutions: Identify practical solutions already succeeding in challenging contexts. Amplify effective behaviours: Clearly define and share behaviours that drive successful outcomes. 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?
Follow five key steps:
Define the Problem
Characteristics: Clearly articulate the specific, observable issue.
Approach: Focus on observable, measurable behaviours or outcomes.
Example: Poor nutritional outcomes in children; high infection rates in hospitals.
Identify Positive Deviants
Characteristics: Find those in similar conditions who consistently achieve better outcomes.
Approach: Locate and learn from these “positive deviants.”
Example: Families achieving good child nutrition despite poverty; hospitals with lower infection rates.
Analyse Positive Deviant Behaviours
Characteristics: Identify specific behaviours or practices enabling better outcomes.
Approach: Observe and document what positive deviants do differently.
Example: Handwashing techniques used by hospital staff; feeding practices of parents ensuring child nutrition.
Share and Amplify Successful Practices
Characteristics: Communicate and disseminate successful practices widely.
Approach: Enable others to adopt proven practices.
Example: Peer-to-peer demonstrations, storytelling, practical workshops.
Monitor and Sustain Changes
Characteristics: Track adoption and impact; refine approaches based on feedback.
Approach: Ensure continued practice through monitoring, coaching, and celebrating successes.
Example: Periodic outcome monitoring; ongoing training and feedback loops.
Turning Positive Deviance into Action
Engage community: Involve those impacted directly in identifying and adopting solutions.
Encourage peer learning: Facilitate sharing through visible examples and storytelling.
Measure and reinforce continuously: Monitor outcomes and adapt strategies.
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