A comprehensive approach to scalability assessment of ICTD projects: an ICT4RED case development

Abstract

Numerous case studies have shown that ICTD projects lacked critical monitoring, sustainability and scalability, and were mostly anecdotal in nature. As a result, investors and stakeholders have increasingly required the proof-of-concept provided by a promising or successful pilot project, in order to convince them to invest in larger projects that will have greater impact on more communities. Scalability assessment aims to guide how and why a project should be replicated based on the success of the project. This assessment should be based on a comprehensive evaluation of the ICTD project, which can provide an indication of the level of success of that project throughout its life, and post-implementation or some aspects of an ICTD initiative. The question is then, how can the scalability of an ICTD project be assessed based on a comprehensive evaluation, and taking into consideration the impact and potential sustainability of a project, and imperative factors for up-scaling.