Introduction How to use the Catalogue What is an experiment? Experimentation in local authorities ASToN Phase 3: a unique project for city-led experimentation in Africa How was this Catalogue created? Experiments Solution – Does the technology or service function as intended Will informal public transport owners be able to pay their monthly tax using mobile money? Will government tax collectors be able to use the revenue collection software? People – Will people use it? Does it fit into existing systems? Will citizens come forward with information to digitise the land registry? Will doctors and medical professionals want to use a new scheduling solution? Will citizens use an application for the reporting of traffic incidents? Will an MVP solution for paying motorbike taxes be usable by payment agents at the City Hall? Impact – Does the solution reach the intended level of impact? What is the impact of a digital tool to improve waste collection processes in the city? Resources – Is the solution sustainable and will it grow to the desired scale? Can we find the right partnerships to ensure operation of rural ICT learning centres? How will the addressing system be managed in the long-term? Conclusion Focusing on the principles of experimentation (rather than the methods) unlocked cities’ ability to test their ideas in their own unique way Framing experimentation as a lens through which to achieve impact can help local authorities embed it in their work Having clarity on the why, or the vision for the project, enables local authorities to embrace uncertainty on the how Fostering a peer network gave individual local authorities the courage and support to be pioneering How we can continue to support local authorities Introduction How to use the Catalogue What is an experiment? Experimentation in local authorities ASToN Phase 3: a unique project for city-led experimentation in Africa How was this Catalogue created? Experiments Solution – Does the technology or service function as intended Will informal public transport owners be able to pay their monthly tax using mobile money? Will government tax collectors be able to use the revenue collection software? People – Will people use it? Does it fit into existing systems? Will citizens come forward with information to digitise the land registry? Will doctors and medical professionals want to use a new scheduling solution? Will citizens use an application for the reporting of traffic incidents? Will an MVP solution for paying motorbike taxes be usable by payment agents at the City Hall? Impact – Does the solution reach the intended level of impact? What is the impact of a digital tool to improve waste collection processes in the city? Resources – Is the solution sustainable and will it grow to the desired scale? Can we find the right partnerships to ensure operation of rural ICT learning centres? How will the addressing system be managed in the long-term? Conclusion Focusing on the principles of experimentation (rather than the methods) unlocked cities’ ability to test their ideas in their own unique way Framing experimentation as a lens through which to achieve impact can help local authorities embed it in their work Having clarity on the why, or the vision for the project, enables local authorities to embrace uncertainty on the how Fostering a peer network gave individual local authorities the courage and support to be pioneering How we can continue to support local authorities Introduction
