Mapping the Way Forward Beyond the 100 Days
Mapping the Way Forward Beyond the 100 Days
At the conclusion of a 100-Day Challenge, the project doesn’t simply end; it evolves. The Challenge Strategist, Team Coach, and Team Leader must collaborate to decide how to build on the current momentum. There are three distinct paths forward for the next phase of the journey.
There are three paths forward for the next 100-Day Challenge Sprint(s).
Deep Dive Video
The Three Paths for Scaling Impact
1. Reset Path: "Deepening the Groove"
The team “runs the same track” again to consolidate gains and ensure sustainability.
The Goal: Move the goalposts higher or smooth the operational “track” to sustain a high pace of performance long-term.
Best For: Teams that feel they have “unfinished business,” such as fully institutionalising new processes, roles, or tracking charts created during the first 100 days.
2. Build Path: the "Logical Progression
Staying in the “same stadium” but building a new track for a different focus area.
The Goal: Tackle a natural next step in the work.
Example: In a TVET college, a team might pivot from “Breaking the Silence” (reporting incidents) to “Healing the Wounds” (improving survivor care).
3. Scale Path: "Expanding the Reach"
Building “new tracks in several stadiums” using the successful design of the pioneering team.
The Goal: Replicate a proven solution in multiple new locations or departments.
Example: If one court reduces its GBVF backlog using a new triage system, multiple other courts can be challenged to adopt and customise that same system.
Navigating Each Path
Reset
Primary Focus: Consolidation & Sustainability
Team Selection: Usually the same team, but can add new members with specific system expertise.
Build
Primary Focus: Logical Next Steps
Team Selection: A new team is formed to tackle the new focus area.
Build
Primary Focus: Mass Replication
Team Selection: Multiple new team are formed, each with their own Coach.
Strategic Guidance for Implementation
Reset Path
Challenge Note: Focus on stability (e.g., “Maintain zero backlog on GBVF cases throughout 2026”).
Coach Role: Typically remains with the current Coach.
Leadership: The Challenge Strategist should socialise the reset with stakeholders before the next Start-Up Workshop.
Build Path
Focus Areas: Choose from previous shortlists, the next logical step, or a new issue that emerged during the first sprint.
Capacity Building: Use this as an opportunity to move a former Team Leader into a Team Coach role.
Narrative: Ensure the new Challenge Note references the previous sprint to emphasise that these sprints are building into a long-term marathon.
Scale Path
How does one go from one 100-Day Challenge to a dozen, in one step? The key lies in two words: Marketing and Simplification.
To scale effectively, avoid simply “mandating” the new practice; instead, inspire “Copycat 100-Day Challenges”.
- Marketing: Have the pioneering team tell their story dramatically to other managers to elicit volunteers.
- Simplification: Provide a “template” for new teams—use the existing focus area, team structure, and Challenge Note as a baseline.
Use tools like WhatsApp groups for Team Leaders and Coaches to foster healthy competition and cross-learning.
Copycat Path in Animation
See the short animated video below on Copycat 100-Day Challenges.
Strategy as an Evolving Portfolio of 100-Day Challenges
Scaling is not just about doing one thing repeatedly; it’s about managing an evolving portfolio of 100-Day Challenges. The animation below tracks how 100-day Challenges on prevention of HIV/AIDS in Eritrea evolved from a handful of projects in the central region to a growing portfolio of projects across the country: some following the Build path (next logical focus area), and some the Scale Path (copycat 100-Day Challenges in other geographies).
