__NOTOC__ <small-title />[[Image:taf process2.png|thumb|right|200px|Credit: [http://washtechafricawashtechnologies.wordpressnet/en/taf/how-to-use washtechnologies.com/ The WASHTech projectnet]]] '''TAF (2011-2013) involves local partners in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Uganda to introduce a robust Technology Applicability Framework (TAF) that will assess ''' is a decision support tool on the potential applicability, scalability and sustainability of new innovative technologies which may be used at the decentralised level. The TAF helps the user decide if a specific WASH technology is sustainable and applicable – or not – to provide lasting services in the a specific context of the user. The framework also indicates risks and supportive factors that may affect on the technology readiness for its introduction process in the user’s context. <small-title />The TAF examines key criteria such as: how the technology performsIt is a participatory, whether buyers facilitating and users are interested in the technology (i.e. the market)easy to use tool that triggers sharing of lessons learned between all actors involved, whether the technology can be applied widely, what support is required from government including local and private sector institutionsnational. As a strategy, and how sustainable the technology it is over timeoften combined with [[Technology Introduction (TIP)|Technology Introduction Process (TIP)]].
'''The life cycle [[Costs_of_WASH_Service_Delivery_-_Introduction|costs]] of a technology is one criteria TAF can be used to assess technologies.:'''
* start discussion, documentation and sharing experiences about a WASH technology and approaches to scale up this technology* assess the potential of a specific technology with respect to applicability, scalability, sustainability and uptake in a specific context,* assess readiness of a sector to scale up this technology including identification of potential measures for improving uptake,* monitor performance of technology and its introduction process. The TAF has undergone three rounds of testing in Uganda, Ghana and Burkina Faso and can be used by national governments, local government, donors and NGOs for both water and sanitation technologies. Technologies that are likely to perform well against a range of criteria can be piloted and scaled up using the Technology Introduction Process (TIP) guide that is currently in development.<br><br>{|style="border: 1px solid #DB87C9; text-align: left; background-color: #efefef;" align|<font size="none3" widthcolor="70%#454545" |The >Here is the [http://washtechnologies.net/en/ official website of the TAF is currently being tested together with sector stakeholders in Burkina Fasoand TIP], which includes four sections: the Challenge, GhanaHow to use the TAF and TIP, Tools and UgandaSharing. </font>
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===The WASHTech Project===
[[Image:TAF2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Photo: [http://africanclimate.net/sites/default/files/sam_2491.jpg AfricanCimate.net]]]
The WASHTech project (2011-2013) is involving local partners in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Uganda to introduce a robust '''Technology Applicability Framework (TAF)''' that will assess the potential of new innovative technologies which may be used at decentralised level.
'''The TAF will examine key criteria such as:''' <br>
* how the technology performs
* whether buyers and users are interested in the technology (i.e. the market)
* whether the technology can be applied widely
* what support is required from government and private sector institutions, and
* how sustainable the technology is over time.
'''Direct research outputs will be:'''
* a widely applicable Technology Applicability Framework (TAF) and process that will provide a simple system and criteria for evaluating new technologies and their performance, identifying sustainability issues, and analysing approaches to introduction, innovation, diffusion and scaling up, and
* well established capacities in three countries to apply the TAF and adapt processes to local contexts.
The research will also seek to define strategies for innovation and scaling up, and the time-span and process needed to achieve successful up-take of innovations. These outputs will be of direct use to the sector and an indication of the value and application of the framework.
===TAF profile===
The TAF is a stepwise process to screen and assess technologies. Data is collected in the field and then verified and interpreted at a multi-stakeholder workshop. All relevant actors including users, producers and regulators participate and bring in their views and perceptions at this workshop.
Based on the results of the workshop, a graphical profile is developed, showing the strengths and weaknesses of the technology, as well as gaps in knowledge. This profile helps to uncover specific interventions or design changes that could improve the technology or the uptake process. For example it may point towards issues concerning subsidies (see indicator 6 in the example below) or capacity gaps of the producer (indicator 14).
[[File:TAF graphic.png|thumb|none|500px|Photo: [http://sustainablewash.org/blog/taf-tip-why-bother-about-technologies sustainablewash.org]]]
The special feature of the TAF is its transparent and participatory process. It is not a magic box piece of computer software that spits out the ‘right’ answer. It brings very different stakeholders together and enables them to listen to each other and learn. The easy-to-understand graphical presentation allows all actors to recognise the key issues and identify who is responsible.
===Slideshows about TAF===
====Technology Applicability Framework (TAF) by WASHTech====
{{#widget: TAF:WASHTech}}
====Using the TAF to evaluate the Urine Dry Diverting Toilet (UDDT)====
{{#widget: TAF:WSA}}
===TAF documents===
Below are TAF documents, including TAF Screen Sheets and a set of TAF Scoring Sheets.
* PARKER, A. [http://washtechnologies.net/en/taf/taf-selection-tool/details/520 Africa wide water, sanitation and hygiene technology review]. WASHTech, 2012.
* PARKER, A. [http://washtechnologies.net/en/taf/taf-selection-tool/details/522 Synthesis report on stakeholder baseline studies on technology selection process and the stakeholders’ attitudes]. WASHTech, 2012.
* OLSCHEWSKI, A. [http://washtechnologies.net/en/taf/taf-selection-tool/details/529 TAF (Step 0): Manual]. WASHTech Project, 2013.
* OLSCHEWSKI, A. [http://washtechnologies.net/en/taf/taf-selection-tool/details/514 TAF (Step 1): Sanitation - Latrine: TAF Screening Sheet]. WASHTech Project, 2013.
* OLSCHEWSKI, A. [http://washtechnologies.net/en/taf/taf-selection-tool/details/512 TAF (Step 1): Water - Water Lifting: TAF Screening Sheet]. WASHTech Project, 2013.
* OLSCHEWSKI, A. [http://washtechnologies.net/en/taf/taf-selection-tool/details/513 TAF (Step 2): Sanitation - Existing - General: Assessment Indicator Sheet]. WASHTech Project, 2013.
* OLSCHEWSKI, A. [http://washtechnologies.net/en/taf/taf-selection-tool/details/474 TAF (Step 2): Water - Existing - General: Assessment Indicator Sheet]. WASHTech Project, 2013.
* WOODE, P. A., NYARKO, K. B. and B. DWUMFOUR-ASARE. [http://washtechnologies.net/en/taf/taf-selection-tool/details/530 TAF (Step 2.1): Cost Calculation: Assessment Support Tool]. WASHTech Project, 2013.
===Key Documents===* SkatOLSCHEWSKI, 2011A. and CASEY, V. [http://washtechafrica.fileswashtechnologies.wordpress.comnet/2011en/04taf/washtech_wp3taf-selection-1_review_of_frameworks_for_technology_assessment_fvtool/details/532 TAF: Processes for strengthening the sustainability and scalability of WASH services.pdf Review Development of the Technology Applicability Framework and Guidance for Technology AssessmentIntroduction - Research Report]. WASHTech Deliverable 3.1. The HagueProject, The Netherlands: WASHTech c/o IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre and Sankt Gallen. Skat2013.
===Acknowledgements===* Cranfield University et al[http://washtechnologies.net/en/taf/how-to-use Technology Applicability Framework].,Washtechnologies. 2012net. * [http://washtechafrica.files.wordpress.com/20112013/04/washtech_726/washtech-1_synthesis_report_tech_selat-the-irc-symposium-in-addis-ababa/ WASHTech at the IRC symposium in Addis Ababa].pdf Synthesis report on stakeholder baseline studies on technology selection process TAF and the stakeholders’ attitudesTIP are presented.* [http://washtechafrica.wordpress.com/about/ The WASHTech Project] (WASHTech Deliverable 7.1)A dedicated website. The Hague, The Netherlands* [http: //www.ircwash.org/projects/washtech WASHTech c] from IRC.* [http://sustainablewash.org/blog/o IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre and Cranfieldtaf-tip-why-bother-about-technologies TAF & TIP: Why bother about technologies?] [http: Cranfield University//sustainablewash.org/ Sustainablewash.org].