ICTworks

What is Pilotitis in ICT4D?

Pilotitis in the context of ICT4D (Information and Communication Technology for Development) refers to a common phenomenon where ICT projects targeting social or economic development are frequently initiated as pilots or small-scale trials but struggle to transition into larger, sustainable implementations.

This term is often used critically to highlight a recurring challenge within the development sector, where innovative projects demonstrate potential in controlled, small-scale settings but fail to achieve broader impact due to various constraints.

What Are the Causes of ICT4D Pilotitis?

The root causes of pilotitis are multifaceted, but there are four common causes.

• Financial sustainability is a primary concern, as pilot projects often rely on initial funding from grants or donors that may not be available for long-term scaling.
• There may be a lack of integration with local government policies or insufficient alignment with the needs and capabilities of the target communities, leading to a mismatch between the project’s objectives and the actual demand or utility.
• Technological infrastructure may not support scaling up due to limitations in connectivity, electricity, or maintenance capabilities in the targeted areas.
• Projects can suffer from insufficient planning for scalability from the outset, lacking a clear vision for how a successful pilot could be expanded in terms of both geography and functionality.

The criticism encapsulated by the term pilotitis does not merely point to the failure of projects to expand but also to a broader issue within the ICT4D sphere of not learning from or adapting to the reasons behind these failures.

Overcoming ICT4D Pilotitis

As such, overcoming pilotitis requires a more holistic approach to project design and implementation, emphasizing sustainability, scalability, local ownership, and alignment with broader development goals from the very beginning.

This involves not only technological innovation but also a deep understanding of the social, economic, and political contexts in which these projects are deployed.