How to run a positive deviance audit
A careful, plain-English sequence for exploring uncommon positive outcomes inside a youth, community or place-based system.
This guide is practical and source-led. It is designed to help people ask better questions, not to make unsupported promises.
Purpose
A positive deviance audit looks for useful learning already present in the system. It is not a judgement exercise and it should not expose individuals without consent.
Sequence
- define the issue and comparison group
- identify uncommon positive outcomes using available evidence and local insight
- speak with people close to the work to understand behaviours and conditions
- separate individual behaviour from environmental support
- choose small tests that others can adapt
- document uncertainty and ethical limits
Outputs
- a map of promising behaviours and conditions
- questions for deeper inquiry
- small experiments to test
- risks, consent issues and claims boundaries