Long-Term Implementation Part II: Sustaining Implementation through Active Implementation

From House to Home: Building Sustainable Infrastructure Through Active Implementation Frameworks

Building a house is an incredible achievement—but transforming that house into a home is something deeper.

“Most people would say that a house is a structure, a building made of brick, wood, or cement. A home, however, relates more to feelings and emotions. A home is a place where a person feels happy, secure, comfortable, and has a sense of belonging.” (Curcie, 2022)

In the same way, implementing an innovation is more than just setting up systems. To truly make lasting change, we must build a strong infrastructure—the “frame” of the house—and then design the supports that transform that structure into a home. Sustainable innovations are those that can withstand the test of time, shifting priorities, and personnel changes.

“The Handbook on Implementation Science defines sustainability in several ways, including one definition that says sustainability is a continuation of health benefits, initiative activities, workplace capacity, and financial viability.” (Lennox, 2020)

This blog highlights how Active Implementation Frameworks (AIFs) support infrastructure building that lasts. Think of it as constructing a house—but with the systems, supports, and teams that make it a home.

Building the House: Laying the Framework

Every strong house begins with a solid foundation and frame. Similarly, every sustainable innovation requires a clear usable innovation—one that is teachable, learnable, and doable. From there, implementation relies on:

• Implementation Stages to guide infrastructure development
• Implementation Drivers to fuel the work and sustain it over time
• Implementation Teams to coordinate and align the process

Like home construction, implementation involves multiple coordinated groups. Framing must happen before electrical work. Plumbing can’t go in without a foundation. In the same way, infrastructure must be built systematically.

Once the house is complete, inspections and walkthroughs ensure everything functions as designed. In implementation, this role is played by improvement cycles—such as Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA)—which help determine effectiveness, guide adjustments, and ensure fidelity to the original vision.

Making a House a Home: Creating Sustainability

A house becomes a home when it provides comfort, safety, belonging, and longevity. This is where AIFs—particularly stages and drivers—move beyond initial setup and into sustainable practice.

Implementation stages are fluid, not linear. Teams may revisit earlier phases as they adapt. Installation, in particular, is a critical stage where infrastructure is built, supports are installed, and sustainability is prioritized.

Key takeaway: Installation doesn’t happen in isolation. All frameworks interact to create strong, lasting infrastructure.

 Implementation Stages at a Glance

    1.    Exploration: Identify and select the innovation.

    2.    Installation: Map out stages and construct drivers.

    3.    Initial Implementation: Start with a small, supported group of implementers.

    4.    Full Implementation: All systems are aligned to sustain outcomes and fidelity.

Installation is the backbone—much like the framing of a house. Leaders play a critical role in securing resources, removing barriers, and building structures that endure over time.

Implementation Drivers: Fueling the Work

Implementation drivers power and sustain the system. They include:

• Competency Drivers: Training, coaching, and selection practices to ensure implementers are equipped and supported.
• Organization Drivers: Systems and structures that keep the work running smoothly.
• Leadership Drivers: Leaders who remove barriers, use data to guide decisions, and maintain momentum.

Just as a homeowner uses data (cost, materials, timelines) to make informed decisions, implementation relies on data-informed decision-making. This approach is proactive rather than reactive and ensures that systems adjust intelligently over time.

Teams: The Builders of the Home

“TEAM” is often said to stand for Together Everyone Achieves More. Implementation teams are designed during installation and are the hands and heart of implementation.

Strong teams:

• Meet regularly with clear agendas
• Build effective feedback loops between practice and leadership
• Maintain open, bi-directional communication with partners
• Plan for and manage turnover, a persistent issue in public education

“High rates of turnover in schools have a negative impact on student achievement…” (Jabber & Holme, 2025)

To address turnover, teams should:

• Provide professional learning opportunities
• Create leadership roles to elevate staff voice
• Build onboarding structures to quickly prepare new team members

A well-built infrastructure ensures the work continues at a high level, even when people change.

Improvement Cycles: Sustaining the Home

Implementation is not a one-time event—it’s a continuous improvement process. Just like a home requires regular pressure washing, staining, or painting, implementation needs regular evaluation to maintain fidelity and value.

PDSA cycles (Plan-Do-Study-Act) offer a structured way to identify issues, measure impact, and make informed improvements.

“When a new practice or program doesn’t seem to be working as hoped, organizations may find it tempting to change course quickly… PDSA cycles provide the power to rapidly identify an issue, measure the impact, and make an informed plan to improve.” (Kennedy & Ryan Jackson, 2022)

Closing: A Sustainable Home

Implementation should not just lead to an outcome—it should lead to lasting outcomes. Sustainability is key.

To sustain innovations:

• Build strong infrastructure during installation
• Maintain continuous improvement cycles
• Support teams and leadership through systems, not individuals
• Plan for changes in funding, personnel, or priorities

Just as a well-maintained home preserves its value over time, sustainable implementation preserves the impact of innovations—ensuring that both students and staff thrive.

Stay tuned for our next blog as we dive deeper into maintenance strategies that keep the home standing strong.

Resources

• Long-Term Implementation Part I: Mitigating the Impact of Turnover through Active Implementation
• How do you define sustainability?
• Implementation Stages Overview One-pager

References

Curcie, C. (2022, May 16). Making the difference between a house and a home. AGS Stainless Inc. https://agsstainless.com/making-the-difference-between-a-house-and-a-home/?srsltid=AfmBOoreCpbm9JXUKc4onbdPVIOwH9KRzZB7cZ64R4RFJMc0-m6A_MW8 

Kennedy, S., & Jackson, K. R. (2022, July 6). PDSA cycles: Improvement and implementation. National Implementation Research Network. https://nirn.fpg.unc.edu/blog/pdsa-cycles-improvement-and-implementation/ 

Lennox, L. (2020). Sustainability. In P. Nilsen & S.A. Birken (Eds.), Handbook of implementation science (pp. 333-366). Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.

Jabbar, H., & Holme, J. J. (2025). Teacher turnover, social capital, and improvement: How instability disrupts schools. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis. https://doi.org/10.3102/01623737241311304