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Decorative
Changing Systems: Moving Beyond Child-Specific Technical Assistance
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Implementation Teams

An implementation team is a group of people who work together to achieve a solution (e.g., practice, program, policy) to an identified issue or problem through the use of specific processes, strategies, and ongoing evaluation. Although team members are often involved in the exploration phase of systems-change efforts, an implementation team’s primary role is to support and drive implementation of the chosen solution.

Membership and Leadership

The membership of an implementation team depends on the issue or problem being addressed, the context (e.g., setting) in which the problem exists, and the specific solution to be implemented. The size and representation will vary depending on the scope of the project, but even small systems-change efforts need a team to guide activities.

Implementation teams should work closely with low-incidence infrastructure groups and agencies (see the initiative-specific documents under "Exploration and Building Partnerships"), as well as other key individuals and agencies within the targeted system. As noted in the introduction, working with the leaders and decision-makers of these entities is critical in identifying, elevating, and supporting implementation of the needed change. As with all change efforts, the active support of leadership is essential for success. 

When selecting implementation team members, look for individuals who have:

  • Expertise in what is being implemented 
  • An understanding of implementation practices
  • Connections within the targeted system
  • Time to work on implementation as part of their professional role
  • A level of responsibility in their agencies or organizations that ensures they have the authority to ensure that activities are implemented

Team Processes

Implementation teams use a range of processes and strategies, including:  

  1. Promoting readiness. Create readiness and buy-in among stakeholders regarding the problem and proposed solution by providing information about the reasons for the change, the proposed solution, and planned implementation activities.  
  2. Developing a structure. Create a functional team structure to provide clarity about the work of the team, help it stay “on mission,” and orient new members (Active Implementation Hub, 2013). This Terms of Reference Work Sheet is a good guide. It contains a range of factors (vision, scope and boundaries, roles and responsibilities) to consider when formulating and organizing an implementation team.  
  3. Installing and sustaining implementation activities. The team is responsible for activities used to bring about change. See the "Implementation Strategies" section for information on activities for enacting change, whether it involves increasing capacity or changes in functional supports, processes, or structures.
  4. Monitoring. Use data to monitor the team’s fidelity of implementation, as well as outcomes of the change being implemented. The team will use this data to evaluate its own performance and the impact of implementation activities.  
  5. Planning. Implementation teams plan how implementation will occur. Careful planning and documentation is a task that can be tempting to bypass, but is critical to success.
  6. Solving problems and building sustainability. As problems arise, the team evaluates them and adapts the implementation plan.