Can it still matter if it doesn’t scale?

The concept of scale is often viewed as a shorthand for success in various industries, but it is essential to consider the value of initiatives that do not scale. Despite the emphasis on scale, some of the most meaningful changes occur in small, localized settings, such as financial education programs in rural communities or credit-building initiatives tailored to specific neighborhoods. These initiatives may not be replicable or scalable, but they can still have a significant impact on the communities they serve. The pursuit of scale can lead to the loss of nuance, relevance, and feedback loops, which are crucial for creating effective and sustainable solutions. Small, high-touch initiatives can be highly effective, even if they do not reach a large number of people, and they can provide valuable lessons for larger-scale programs. The FICO Educational Analytics Challenge is an example of a small initiative that had a significant impact on the students who participated, and it has since grown into a repeatable framework that can be adopted by more schools. Scale can be useful when it builds on authentic, community-driven initiatives, rather than erasing their unique characteristics. It is essential to stay honest about the kind of impact we are trying to achieve and to consider whether our obsession with scale is helping or hurting our mission. By making room for both small, pilot initiatives and larger-scale programs, we can create a more nuanced and effective approach to creating positive change. Ultimately, the question we should be asking is not "Will it scale?" but "Will it matter?" and this shift in perspective can help us build more effective and sustainable solutions.