Introducing the four stages of implementation.
Implementation is a process that unfolds through a series of stages. This guide is structured around the exploration, preparation, implementation, sustainment (EPIS) model, which outlines four main stages of implementation:
- Stage one: Explore and engage
- Stage two: Plan and prepare
- Stage three: Implement
- Stage four: Sustain and scale
Implementation plans often default to basics like roles and resourcing, but successful delivery goes further. It applies core principles of change, adapts to local context and keeps long-term outcomes in view.
Some policing innovation projects have shown impact within months, but wider evidence suggests that reaching a sustained or embedded stage usually takes two to four years for a well-designed programme. Setting realistic timelines for each stage helps maintain momentum and avoid false expectations.