PITFALL 7
Prioritising adaptation over implementation quality
WHY IT'S A PROBLEM
Compromising on core aspects that ensure a programme’s success and safety — including implementation quality — undermines effectiveness, can cause harm to women, risks community backlash, and erodes trust in the programme.
LEARNING
Protect both programme fidelity and quality
HOW THE PITFALL WAS OVERCOME
In Rwanda, an adaptation of an evidence-based couple’s curriculum for scale stayed true to the original model but compromised on implementation quality. Rapid recruitment of mostly inexperienced staff, shortened training, limited supervision, and larger community groups diluted the intervention. These compromises lowered quality, triggered community backlash, reduced impact, and even cast doubt on the model’s effectiveness. Upholding the core elements of quality implementation is non-negotiable; it determines the depth and durability of impact in communities.
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