3 Critical Questions to Ask Before You Start a Collaboration

Collaboration is often used as a catch-all term to describe any working relationship between individuals, departments, or organizations. But, true collaboration isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept—it exists on a continuum of inter-institutional models, each with distinct attributes, required capacities, and necessary inter-organizational supports.

As we move along this continuum, we increase our potential to accomplish together that which cannot be achieved alone. And, importantly, each level requires an increase in time, trust, and turf-sharing.

Before launching a complex, multi-stakeholder initiative, consider these three critical questions?

1. What type of “working together” do we actually want to do? Are we networking, coordinating, cooperating, or truly collaborating?

2. What capacities will be needed to support this level of partnership?

3. Are the right inter-organizational supports in place to sustain the effort?

Failing to properly resource collaboration is one of the top reasons complex initiatives struggle—or fail altogether. Taking the time to assess these factors upfront can make all the difference in setting up partnerships for success.

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