Research School Network: The Unfinished Business of Effective Implementation The Zeigarnik effect, cognitive closure and the ongoing nature of effective implementation

For those working to academic calendars, the end of the academic year is now in view, this will hopefully provide some much-needed time to rest and recharge. As I reflect on the academic year, I know I am not alone in holding onto those areas of work that are unfinished and the aspects I want to prioritise for September, this often dominates my reflections rather than celebrating progress made and all the achievements of yet another busy year. This restlessness has a name, the Zeignarnik effect is as psychological phenomenon that makes us remember unfinished tasks much better than those that have been finished. 

Whilst the academic year is punctuated by term dates we know that there are no fixed timelines for good implementation. We know that Implementation strategies and phases overlap and need to be revisited over time as part of a process of ongoing learning. We want to achieve cognitive closure, a resolution or end point but as highlighted within the School’s Guide to Implementation we know that implementation unfolds over an extended period of time and this doesn’t always occur in a neat and linear fashion. It can take two years or more to implement whole-school, complex initiatives, arguably the process of implementation is never complete as all initiatives require ongoing care to protect and maintain the implementation effort. 

Yes, there is more to do but for now, let’s celebrate our successes, and what we are most proud of, what has worked well and where? It is important that we hold onto these aspects, these pockets of strength, the behaviors and contextual factors that enabled this so that we can approach the new year with gusto and replicate how successes were implemented and sustained. We may only have early indications of success or those early indications may suggest further adaptation is needed but in reflecting on this we are updating our knowledge of implementation strategies and supports that can allow our people and pupils to thrive. 

A new year will come, and we will be right there with you to support the processes of evidence informed decision making and effective implementation.