Technology Assessement Framework (TAF) for Selected WASH Technologies in Ghana
Eric Antwi Ofosu (PhD)
Smart Sanitation & Washtech - KNUST
Summary of presentation
Background Four steps of TAF1. Screening2. Assessment3. Presentation of Results4. Interpretation
A MetaphorTechnology Introduction - a Journey of change:
The destination, the way to follow, the actors needed, attitude of actors....
TAF is a decision making tool on the applicability and sustainability of the use of a specific WASH technology in a specific context
TAF - Key Elements for Technology Introduction
Introduction Process- Investment model- Roles and responsibilities of actors in introduction process- Social Marketing- Resources
Context / Enabling Environment- Physical- Social- Economic- Legal- Institutional- Skills and capacities
Technology/Product- Characteristics/Performance- Requirements- Development process
ACTORS
User, BuyerProducer, Provider, Regulator, Supervisor….
Key Phases of technology introduction
Process design depends on investment model selected The various actors involved have to take on their roles
in all phases of the introduction process
Tipping Point
Invention
Little
High
Trialled Technology
Time, with specific support and resources provided by different actors
Uptake [number ofunits installed]
Uptake + O&MSuccessfulTechnology
Uptake + Operation & Maintenance
The TAF process starts with a screening. The screening focuses on two key questions:» Is there a need for this technology? » Is the implementation of this technology feasible in this region at all?
If the screening is positive, the technology is comprehensively assessed in step 2.
In step 3 the results are collected and presented.
In step 4 all results are comprehensively interpreted.
Four Steps in TAF Assessment
Assessment of the potential of a WASH
technology in a specific context
WASH technology to be assessed
Screening 1: NeedScreening
Interpretationand conclusion
Presentation of resultsof screening and assessment
Screening 2: Applicability
à � à � à �Screening Assessment Presentation of Results Interpretation
Step 1: Screening Purpose is to reject
technologies which are not suitable in the context efficiency of TAF tool
Screening using 2 criteria:
Screening is based on prepared questionnaires
For each type of technology one questionnaire is prepared, called Screening Sheet
Identification Context Need Applicability Result:
“Yes” or, “Yes but” or “No” and “comments”
WASH technology to be assessed
Screening 1: NeedScreening
Screening 2: Applicability
à � à � à �Screening Assessment Presentation of Results Interpretation
Step 2: Assessment
Six dimensions of sustainability:
Economic and Financial
Social Environmental Institutional & Legal Skills & Knowhow Technological
Economic
Social
Environmental
InstitutionalLegal
Skills andKnowhow
Technological
à � à � à �Screening Assessment Presentation of Results Interpretation
Step 2: Assessment
Perspectives of Key actors: User or Buyer
Producer or Provider
Regulator, Investor, Supervisor, Facilitator
à � à � à �Screening Assessment Presentation of Results Interpretation
Perspectives of Key Actors
in Introduction Process
Sustainability Dimensions
Economic
Social
Environmental
Organisational, institutional, legal
Skills & Knowhow
Technological
Use
r, Bu
yer
Prod
ucer
, Pr
ovid
er
Regu
lato
r, In
vest
or,
Faci
litat
or,
Supe
rvis
or
18 TAF indicators
Methodology of TAF puts particular emphasis on perspectives and roles of key actors in the introduction process and forces TAF user to consider these perspectives in the assessment of impacts concerning the sustainability dimensions.
Assessment Indicators Roles
DimensionsUser and/or Buyer Producer and/or Provider
Regulator, Investor in Process, Research&Development, Facilitator,
Supervisor
Economics and Financial Affordability Price of product and level of revenue for producer/provider
Supportive financial mechanisms
Social Demand for the technology Need for promotion Need for behavioural change or social marketing
Environmental Potential for negative impact Potential for local production of technology or spares
Dependency on other technical components of system comments on: Robustness
Organisational, Institutional,Legal
Legal or custody structures for management of technology in place
Legislative regulation for producer and products, requirements for registration
Level of alignment with national long term strategiesAvailability of validation process and Technical Standards
Skills & Knowhow Skill set of user to manage complexity of technology inclduing for operation and maintenance
Level of technical and business skills needed
Capacity for information and documentation, market research and follow up for this technology
Requirements and capacity for M+E, Technology-Product Reliability of technology Viable supply chain for product and spares
Support mechanism for test and product development and introduction
à � à � à �Screening Assessment Presentation of Results Interpretation
Step 2: Assessment
Assessment using the TAF: Based on 18 indicators : Nr. 1...18 Using questionnaires For each indicator one set of Assessment Indicator
Sheets exist Assessment Indicator Sheets include
◦ - General information◦ - 3-5 Guiding questions◦ - 1 Scoring question
Each application needs specific planning of data collection
à � à � à �Screening Assessment Presentation of Results Interpretation
Step 2: Assessment Scoring method
To support the scoring additional information and links are provided on indicator sheets
Different views and scoring in a group are common
Different views should be made explicit
Reasons and implications for overall result of assessment should be discussed and documented
Transparent procedure supports acceptance of assessment results
à � à � à �Screening Assessment Presentation of Results Interpretation
+
0
-
High value, positive, supportive characteristics
Neutral value, partly impact
Low value, negative, hindering characteristics
? Unclear impact
Where scoring is questions should
be followed up for further analysis.
?0 -
Step 3: Presentation of Results From Step 1: Screening
results for criteria “need” and “applicability” and comments
From Step 2: Each score will be presented in a table as presented on the leftComments from Step 2 are collected on a separate sheet, in particular if conflicting scoring appeared
à � à � à �Screening Assessment Presentation of Results Interpretation
Step 4: InterpretationComprehensive interpretation
including all these steps:1) Step 1: Straight forward
interpretation of screening results
2) Step 2: Interpretation Per row per dimension Per column per perspective
3) TAF Graphical Profile comprehensive assessment
4) Comments
à � à � à �Screening Assessment Presentation of Results Interpretation
+
0
-+
+ ?
+
+
-
? ?
0
?+ -
-0 0
(1) (2) (3)
(4) (5) (6)
(7) (8) (9)
(10) (11) (12)
(13) (14) (15)
(16) (17) (18)
Dimension
Profile
Pers
pecti
veTAF Profile
Step 4: Interpretation
à � à � à �Screening Assessment Presentation of Results Interpretation
The TAF provides a comprehensive basis for decision making
The interpretation of results should consider all elements – from step 1 and from step 2
Implications from conflicting scoring should be made explicit
The process of TAF application supports acceptance of the assessment result and the development of specific mitigation measures for supporting the introduction process
All results and interpretation should be comprehensively documented