Well I did say the use of "on a smaller scale" was more commonly used. HOWEVER, The poster has asked for an alternative way of saying the same thing and I gave one. It is not commonly used in Canada but personally in my work as a salesman I have on occasion used "a lesser approach" when considering two alternatives one of which was much cheaper than the other or not as grand in form.
If you others have an alternative to "on a smaller scale", I would love to hear the American or British version.