Validating and celebrating progress
A formal process to validate outputs is necessary to align payments to outputs. One way to do this is by convening a committee at a regular rhythm to validate access to each phase of the programme. This checkpoint also provides an opportunity to touch base and adjust the next phase work to ensure most value at all points. Finally, it is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the work done so far and reinforce commitment on the city side towards next steps.
Our approach and methods
- Clear outputs / checkpoints: Define clear outputs for each phase of the programme. Within ASToN (2019-2022) for instance, to access the subsequent phases, cities had to prepare specific documents relevant to their phase of work (e.g. for phase 3 it was an experimentation plan and related budget).
- Validating progress via a committee: Assign decision rights to validate progress, and take advantage of this checkpoint to encourage a productive conversation and feedback. After reviewing the aforementioned documents, a committee made up of e.g. the Secretariat, external members and thematic experts was held with the aim of clarifying any remaining points with the city and validate their progress.
- Celebrations: Take this opportunity to celebrate progress.
