The essential elements of effective collaboration

Communities know they need to collaborate — that no organization acting alone can hope to “move the needle” on complex systemic issues. In our work, we see both the recognition that collaboration is essential and also a desire for greater understanding of what it takes to work effectively together.

In response, CCHE developed a collaborative model that is grounded in our 25 years of experience evaluating multi-sector collaborative initiatives. The model includes six essential elements for effective collaboration and defines indicators of success for each element:

• Shared purpose: an agreed upon vision and mission and a sense of collective ownership
• Essential people at the table: Multi-sector and diverse representation, including community members affected by the work
• Effective leadership: Leaders who foster trust and distribute power and decision-making
• Adequate structure and support: Dedicated staff with adequate capacity to do the work
• Active collaboration: All partners actively participate in planning and carrying out work
• Taking action: A concrete action plan with identified resources and methods for measuring success

Learn more about the model and see how CCHE has used it in evaluations to support collaboration across the country.

Please contact us for more information about the collaboration model: Lisa.M.Schafer@kp.org