🧩 Worked Example: Triple-Loop Learning Framework

1) Single-loop: Are we doing things right?

Adjust actions to fix immediate gaps.

  • Observation: Low turnout despite strong logistics.
  • Immediate tweaks (on the day):
    • Move shade/seating to the gate; add a welcome greeter.
    • Give simple verbal FAQs in plain language.
    • Offer private chats for worried caregivers; brief talks every 30 minutes.
  • Aim: Improve flow and answer fears quickly.

Quick checks: fence-sitters converted, questions answered, shorter waiting, slight coverage lift.

2) Double-loop: Are we doing the right things?

Re-examine assumptions, redesign the approach.

  • Challenged assumption: “If access is easy, families will come.”
  • New design: Trust first, then delivery.
    • Pre-clinic (T−2 weeks): Meet village head, women’s leader, youth rep, faith leaders to co-design date, venue, flow, FAQs.
    • Language: Posters + audio voice notes in local language; test with two mothers.
    • Messengers: Local nurse/CHW and faith leader co-host the clinic.
    • Timing: Avoid market hours; provide childcare corner/shade; queue tickets.

Success signals: Higher first-dose uptake, more families from distant compounds, fewer walk-aways at the gate.

3) Triple-loop: How do we decide what is “right”?

Examine values, governance, and power; change how we learn and decide.

  • Guiding values: Respect, co-creation, equity.
  • Governance shift:
    • Create a community advisory huddle (leaders + CHWs + women’s rep) that signs off dates, messages, and messengers.
    • Set a rule: “No clinic without community briefing.”
    • Budget time for listening sessions and translation as core inputs, not add-ons.
  • Learning culture:
    • After each clinic, run a 15-minute debrief with a local representative; share back what changed because of community input.
    • Track trust metrics alongside coverage; publish a one-page feedback note to the community.

End-state: Decisions are made with the community, not just for the community.

📏 Simple measures at each loop

  • Single-loop (process): wait time, number of questions answered, number of private consults, fence-sitters converted.
  • Double-loop (design fit): percentage of materials in local language distributed/played; attendance by hamlet; turnout outside market hours.
  • Triple-loop (trust/governance): leader co-sign-off recorded; number of advisory huddle meetings; exit poll “Information clear & respectful?” (Yes/No); repeat attendance next round.

Governance prompt: “Who helps define success, and who has authority to change the plan?”