The Strategy Testing Workbook - The Asia Foundation (2024)

The Asia Foundation (TAF) uses Strategy Testing as part of its approach to adaptive management. It defines Strategy Testing as "a set of tools and practices that comprise a system for learning that equips program teams to adjust baseline program strategies according to insights drawn from intervening events and changes. The system also helps program teams to recognize and seize unexpected opportunities as they arise, and to face the challenging task of knowing when to give up on things that are not working. Moreover, by ensuring that the Political Economy Analysis (PEA) is integral, the system provides teams with a forum to analyze the incentives of program stakeholders."

This workbook can be used as part of training or while developing adaptive management systems. It covers:

1. TAF lessons learned on Strategy Testing;
2. Design Stage - constructing the system and making sure everyone is on board;
3. Inception Phase - helping the implementing team to make the leap from the ideal initially set out in the design stage to the grounding, support, and frameworks that the team will need to implement Strategy Testing;
4. Program Implementation – the practices, knowledge, and culture needed for the feedback loop that underpins Strategy Testing.

For more on Strategy Testing, you can find TAF's 2015 publication introducing the approach here.