An IRC staff member organizes data in Nara, Mali
Introducing SCALE (Scenario Costing and Analysis for Large-scale Efficiency in Nutrition)
What does SCALE do?
SCALE is a scenario analysis tool that helps decision-makers compare treatment options and costs for child nutrition programming. Developed by the IRC’s Best Use of Resources and Nutrition Research teams, and piloted with UNICEF Kenya and the Kenyan Ministry of Health, the tool allows users to customize scenarios with their own data and instantly see the impact on resources, cost, and efficiency.
By integrating both cost and treatment protocols, SCALE helps practitioners design programs that maximize reach and helps policy-makers choose approaches best suited to their context. Instead of requiring lengthy and technical modeling, SCALE quickly estimates resource needs such as RUTF, staffing, and cost-efficiency, giving governments and partners an accessible way to test and compare program designs.
The beta-version of SCALE is now live and open-access, and we are actively piloting and refining it with partners. As further testing continues, the tool will evolve into a fully guided, user-friendly application designed for non-technical users while leveraging the latest global evidence.
HOW DOES SCALE WORK?
SCALE uses a scenario-based approach to compare different malnutrition treatment designs. Users select the program “ingredients” they want to test, such as admission and discharge criteria, RUTF dosages, delivery models, and staffing, and input either detailed local data or use default values built into the tool.
SCALE then automatically generates estimates of coverage, resource requirements, and cost-efficiency for each scenario, allowing side-by-side comparison. This makes it easy for decision-makers to understand trade-offs across different program designs without needing complex modeling expertise.
The current MVP provides a functional online platform, and we are piloting it with governments and partners to refine the user experience. The next phase of development will focus on support materials, updated features, and improved outputs tailored to non-technical users, ensuring results are both robust and accessible.
Policy-makers and Ministries of Health:
Use SCALE to make evidence-based budgeting and protocol decisions that maximize impact and reach more children with available resources. The tool supports national planning by providing clear comparisons of cost, coverage, and efficiency across treatment options.
Program Implementers and Partners:
Design and adapt cost-efficient malnutrition treatment programs within a specific budget. SCALE helps implementers understand the trade-offs between different delivery models, protocols, and resource allocations - supporting smarter, data-driven program design.
WHO IS SCALE FOR?
More information
How can I get SCALE?
SCALE is an open source application. You can create a log-in at scaletool.org.
What are the use cases?
National planning and budgeting: Ministries of Health can estimate the national cost and coverage implications of adopting simplified treatment protocols or scaling new approaches before implementation.
Protocol comparison: Policymakers and researchers can compare different admission and discharge criteria, RUTF dosages, and delivery models to identify the most efficient and scalable options.
Donor investment planning: Donors can assess the potential return on investment of different program strategies, ensuring funds are allocated toward the most cost-effective and high-impact approaches.
Program design and optimization: Implementing partners can test multiple program configurations - such as varying staff cadres, delivery points, or supply chains - to determine how to reach more children within a set budget.
Advocacy and decision support: Governments and partners can use outputs from SCALE to advocate for simplified or optimized approaches based on credible cost and coverage data.
Need to get in touch?
Please contact Derek Lee at derek.lee@rescue.org for technical questions and Amy Passaro at amy.passaro@rescue.org for administrative questions.