Build a lasting and scalable program

Generate and maintain support for the eCDT program—politically, financially, and with users—so it can expand beyond the pilot phase.

Full description

Plan for expansion from the start, informed by eCDT program pilots and user feedback. Encourage the adoption of these principles into policy, create a plan for long-term funding, and leverage political and industry champions.

APPLY THE PRINCIPLE

There are three main phases to building an electronic catch documentation and traceability (eCDT) program:

INITIATE – includes early research, goal setting, and stakeholder engagement;
DESIGN – includes identifying technology, assigning responsibilities, and creating the systems to support the program;
IMPLEMENT – includes piloting the program, adaptively managing, and scaling it.

Here you can see how this principle manifests throughout each phase.

Initiate
Design
Implement

Identify potential challenges to longevity of the program early on
- Consider: Is the budget for the program secure? Where is political support strongest and weakest?

Relevant Guidance

Tool / Toolkit

Checklist for Governments: Lasting and Scalable Seafood Traceability

IFT Global Food Traceability Center, SALT

2022

This checklist supports governments in designing and implementing lasting and scalable traceability systems in their seafood sectors. It compiles insights and advice gleaned from traceability experts and published resources and… Read More about Build a lasting and scalable program

Guidance Document

Nine Steps for Developing a Scaling-up Strategy

World Health Organization, ExpandNet

2010

Scaling-up increases the impact of successful innovations, improving the operation and reach of programs, and should be conducted via a systematic approach to expand upon previously successful pilot projects. The… Read More about Build a lasting and scalable program

Guidance Document

Scaling Up: From Vision to Large-Scale Change

Management Systems International

2016

This document provides effective strategies and pathways to help the process of scaling-up, assessing the pros and cons of varying methods and focuses on it’s design and implementation in projects.… Read More about Build a lasting and scalable program

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Encourage the adoption of these principles into policy
- Encourage policy adoption/development to strengthen eCDT support at the governmental level
Estimate funding needs and responsibilities to fund the program sustainably
- Develop plan for long-term funding to support all steps of program implementation
Identify potential pilot sites
- Select supply chains that are well-understood and sites that have on the ground (industry and NGO) support

Relevant Guidance

Guidance Document

Good Practice Guidelines (GPG) on National Seafood Traceability Systems

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

2018

To combat IUU fishing, Members of the FAO Committee on Fisheries created guidelines for national fishery authorities. The guidelines address the purpose and principles of flag state responsibilities, and the… Read More about Build a lasting and scalable program

Case Study

Learning Site Profile: General Santos, Philippines

USAID

This Site Profile provides an overview of why it was selected as one of USAID’s pilot sites, including the site’s regional significance, biodiversity, and key economic and fisheries data. Priority… Read More about Build a lasting and scalable program

Infographic

Understanding Costs for Traceability Technology Implementation

Future of Fish

This infographic highlights the phases of different costs accrued for a traceability system: scoping, installation, implementation, maintenance. It describes some of the main costs for each phase.

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Pilot test the eCDT program
- Formalize partnership with the users and supporters who will be the first implementers of the technology. Implement a mechanism to receive feedback from the first implementers
Outline scope and objective for scaling
Identify differences between the pilot and other areas for implementation
- Assess objectives and resources for scaling: are the funds, staff, infrastructure, and resource commitments still present and appropriate for the scope?