Positive Deviance
Positive Deviance is an approach to collect case studies about individuals who exhibit exceptional and positive behaviour or strategies.
Related Tools
Digital Tools
Sensemaking Workshop
Thematic Analysis
Generating Insights
While focusing on change agents, positive deviance is a useful tool for understanding the successful behaviours of individuals who overcome challenges.
The approach is based on the idea that there are individuals in each organisation or group who are uniquely successful and find better solutions to problems than their peers. The triggers and behaviours that help an individual become successful can include aspects such as family support and confidence. These aspects are often different between women and men.
As a MEL approach, Positive Deviance can be used in three different ways:
- Observational– single point of time reflecting on the present success
- Comparative – single point of time comparing different types of people
- Longitudinal – multiple points of time comparing different responses from the same people
The approach has two objectives:
- Encourage teams to reflect on what makes change agents particularly successful
- Encourage teams to draw on this knowledge to work out strategies to help other change agents be successful
- Collect GESI-related insights into the triggers and behaviours that make individuals successful
The following steps are adapted from the Positive Deviance guidance note from the Positive Deviance Collaborative.
Step 1. Define
Define the behaviours or roles that are unique and will be studied. For example: women change agents that are more mobile or group leaders who can connect with a more diverse group of stakeholders.
Step 2. Determine
Determine the presence of positive deviant individuals or groups. Ideally, this should be done in collaboration with communities. Identify who these people are and collect their contact information.
Step 3. Discover
Discover the triggers and strategies that support the uncommon positive behaviours. This is often done through interviews with individuals, but it can also be done in focus groups or workshops.
Step 4. Distil
During this final phase, review the triggers that support these positive deviants, which can involve designing activities that support these behaviours in others. This can be conducted through a sensemaking workshop or through the development of profiles/personas.
Travel Restricted Times
While stories of positive deviance are best collected in person, they can also be completed using participatory and remote methods.
Keeping in mind differences in access and literacy, think about different ways to facilitate and plan this approach.
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Computer and internet access |
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Smartphone and internet access |
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Basic phone access |
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See an example of participatory activities using Google Slide.
Learn more on the digital tools page.
Materials and Resources
Sample Participant Information Sheet
This information sheet is to be shared with potential positive deviants. The template should be updated and translated as required.
Sample Interview Guide
This guide can be used during interviews of positive deviants. The template should be updated and translated as required.
Planning Template
Planning Checklist
DOCX | 972 KB
Do-no-harm Strategy
Integrity Checklist
DOCX | 970 KB
Effective Interviewing Guide
DOCX | 968 KB
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