A Model and Descriptive Case Example for Partnered Implementation Playbook Development

Implementation playbooks are guides for implementing evidence-based interventions and are tools for increasing their dissemination. However, there is little guidance on developing implementation playbooks in partnership with implementors, which is important for improving their relevance and usability. Our objective was to develop a model for partnered implementation playbook development and provide a descriptive case example for applying this model in practice. This work was conducted as part of an implementation study of a peer-based Post-Incarceration Engagement intervention. To address the dearth of guidance on implementation playbook development, our team documented the steps we took to create an implementation playbook for this intervention. We held iterative discussions to develop the model, which was further refined through feedback from our partners. The Implementation Playbook Development Model steps include: (1) Create playbook team and meet with partners to understand what they would like in a playbook; (2) Take stock of existing materials; (3) Develop and share preliminary playbook outline with partners for feedback; (4) Examine existing infrastructure for housing the playbook and determine appropriate format; (5) Assign playbook development tasks to playbook creation team; (6) Conduct internal review of the playbook; and (7) Share full playbook with partners for feedback and refinement. Creating our model through a partner-engaged process resulted in an online playbook for implementing the Post-Incarceration Engagement intervention that accounted for our partners' needs, capacity, and infrastructure. This 7-step model and descriptive case example will be useful for others who are ready to disseminate effective interventions across healthcare settings and communities.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43477-026-00233-6.