2010-02-17T05:47:00.001-08:00

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In this context collaboration / partnership is an intervention that evolves on the basis of existing relationships and a shared business need. The assumption is that collaboration creates new possibilities and opportunities which wouldn’t otherwise exist.

This framework helps practitioners to navigate their way through the collaboration process, paying attention to the nature of the relationships, conversations and activities that need to take place to ensure desired shared outcomes are delivered to the partners concerned and potentially to other stakeholders.

The entry point to this framework for an organisation is likely to be a business idea or problem that it doesn’t feel it can resolve effectively by working alone.

There are four stages to the Collaboration Cycle:

CONNECTING is bringing organisations together: this involves identifying & selecting potential collaborators, understanding the differences and developing connections between values, styles, wants and offers.

CONTRACTING is creating a framework between parties that outlines what each party is expected to contribute in terms of resources, what each party will gain in terms of reward, what risks each party is prepared to take on, and what responsibilities each party will have.

COLLABORATING is designing, developing & delivering the mutual goals of the parties. This phase is a critical time when parties need to hold the inherent tensions of conflict and creativity. It is important that learnings are shared and implemented as quickly as possible.

CLOSING is reviewing the collaboration: what worked well, what didn’t work so well, what new capabilities have been created, what new opportunities have arisen through the collaboration?

For more information on tools and approaches to collaboration and partnership see our website.
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