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* Be Thorough: Good planning is highly detailed and addresses logistics, operating systems, and administrative hierarchy. “When several organizations are orchestrating activities to produce results, there’s no room for assumptions,” said Floersch. “You must thoroughly articulate and agree upon all roles and responsibilities.”
* Confront Issues Now: When tough problems arise, don’t sidestep them. If one organization won’t carry its weight or partners disagree on budgets or on lines of authority, it can be stressful to face these issues head-on. But if you don’t, you’ll pay later in damaged relationships between partner organizations and in poor program implementation.
* Communicate: When partner organizations are fully informed, they’re better prepared to play their part, and they’ll feel more secure in the collaborative relationship. “Many of the problems organizations experience in this type of work are caused by flawed communication,” said Floersch.
In collaborative programming, all partner organizations must realize a greater benefit from working together than from going it alone. “The compelling benefit can be powerful outcomes for clients, greater access to expertise and resources, and more power in leveraging funding,” said Floersch. “These benefits are well worth the effort.”
