The Critical Role of KT Practitioners during Pre-Implementation

Have you ever been involved with an implementation project and struggled getting buy-in from the whole team? Maybe the team wasn’t convinced of the idea. According to Alley et al (2023), only 15% of implementation projects are successful, and success is primarily determined by the pre-implementation phase.

What Is Pre-Implementation?

Pre-implementation is the essential preparatory phase that occurs before a project or program is formally launched. This stage lays the groundwork for successful onboarding and implementation using a collaborative process.

The pre-implementation phase typically includes three core stages:

Engagement – Bringing stakeholders together and fostering initial buy-in
Consideration of Feasibility – Assessing whether the project can succeed in the local context
Readiness Planning – Ensuring all technical, organizational, and human resources are in place for launch

A rigorous pre-implementation process prevents problems later by clarifying expectations, aligning goals, and reducing costly changes during implementation. In fact, research suggests that the success of the pre-implementation phase predicts the outcome of the implementation project!

Building Buy-In Before Change Happens

Knowledge translation (KT) practitioners are not only vital during and after implementation, but they are also essential before implementation even begins. Their early involvement is crucial for building support, addressing concerns, and ensuring that stakeholders are engaged and on board with upcoming changes.

Why Early Engagement Matters

KT practitioners facilitate stakeholder engagement from the outset, using structured methods to gather input, address concerns, and build consensus.

Early engagement helps to clarify the needs, expectations, and potential barriers faced by those who will be affected by the change, ensuring that the implementation plan is relevant and feasible.

By involving stakeholders in pre-implementation, KT practitioners foster a sense of ownership and shared purpose, which is critical for successful adoption and sustainability of new practices.

Maximizing Impact Through Proactive KT

Involving KT practitioners before implementation ensures that change initiatives are not imposed top-down but are co-developed with those who will enact and sustain them. This proactive approach reduces resistance, increases readiness, and lays the groundwork for effective, lasting change.

In summary, KT practitioners are indispensable in the pre-implementation phase, where their skills in engagement, communication, and change management help get people on board and set the stage for successful, evidence-based improvements.

Ready to Build Your Skills as a KT Practitioner?

Learn more about our Essential Skills for Knowledge Translation Practitioners course at the Institute for Knowledge Translation—designed for clinicians, leaders, and change agents who are ready to close the gap between research and reality.

References

Alley, Z. M., Chapman, J. E., Schaper, H., & Saldana, L. (2023). The relative value of Pre‑Implementation stages for successful implementation of evidence‑informed programs. Implementation Science, 18, 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-023-01285-0

Albers B, Metz A, Burke K. Implementation support practitioners - a proposal for consolidating a diverse evidence base. BMC Health Serv Res. 2020;20(1):368. Published 2020 May 1. doi:10.1186/s12913-020-05145-1