A Look at Collaboration A Look at Collaboration

National Extension Family National Extension Family Life Specialists ConferenceLife Specialists Conference

April 27, 2005April 27, 2005

Ellen Taylor-Powell, Ph.D.Ellen Taylor-Powell, Ph.D.

Evaluation SpecialistEvaluation Specialist

University of Wisconsin-ExtensionUniversity of Wisconsin-Extension

Never doubt that a small group Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”ever has.”

Margaret Margaret MeadMead

Today’s discussion Today’s discussion

Types of collaborations currently engaging Types of collaborations currently engaging Extension educatorsExtension educators

Lessons being learnedLessons being learned 5 key dimensions of collaboration5 key dimensions of collaboration Hope to unbundle some of the complexity Hope to unbundle some of the complexity

of collaborationof collaboration

Conceptual and empirical research from fields of Conceptual and empirical research from fields of educational research, organizational educational research, organizational development/management, community psychology development/management, community psychology and community coalition building, public health; and community coalition building, public health; and newer models in evaluation – participatory and newer models in evaluation – participatory and collaborative evaluationand collaborative evaluation

Current context – Why the Current context – Why the bandwagon?bandwagon?

Complex problemsComplex problems Hard-pressed Hard-pressed

resourcesresources Social Social

fragmentationfragmentation Disengaged citizensDisengaged citizens Rapid, sweeping Rapid, sweeping

changechange

Vs. Lone Ranger model

Metaphors of collaborationMetaphors of collaboration

Table talk: Think about one collaborative Table talk: Think about one collaborative that you are a part of. Describe it to your that you are a part of. Describe it to your neighbor using a metaphor to capture its neighbor using a metaphor to capture its essence.essence.

DefinitionDefinition

Collaborative: structure or group working Collaborative: structure or group working together to achieve a shared visiontogether to achieve a shared vision

Collaboration: the process through which Collaboration: the process through which parties who see different aspects of a parties who see different aspects of a program can explore constructively their program can explore constructively their differences and search for (and differences and search for (and implement) solutions that go beyond implement) solutions that go beyond their own limited vision of what is their own limited vision of what is possible (Gray, 1989)possible (Gray, 1989)

Better togetherBetter together

“Joint work toward a common end” (Roget’s, 1995)

To achieve a mutual goal that couldn’t be accomplished independently

An elusive concept: Navigating An elusive concept: Navigating the languagethe language

Confusing language: known by many names; Confusing language: known by many names; used to mean many things; common vernacularused to mean many things; common vernacular collaboration, partnership, coalition, alliances, collaboration, partnership, coalition, alliances,

strategic alliances, consortia, networks, intersectoral strategic alliances, consortia, networks, intersectoral groupsgroups

A catchall – signifies almost any type of inter-A catchall – signifies almost any type of inter-organizational or inter-personal relationship, organizational or inter-personal relationship, making it difficult to put into practice or evaluate making it difficult to put into practice or evaluate

Need for clarity in language – create shared Need for clarity in language – create shared understanding; language does have meaningunderstanding; language does have meaning

Collaboration is a means to an end and an end Collaboration is a means to an end and an end itselfitself

Seen as most effective way to address complex Seen as most effective way to address complex issuesissues Political mandate – funding imperativePolitical mandate – funding imperative

Public sectorPublic sector Nonprofit sectorNonprofit sector Organizations – team cultureOrganizations – team culture

Unfortunately, the pervasive requirement for Unfortunately, the pervasive requirement for partnership has not yet been matched with partnership has not yet been matched with corresponding understanding of how to corresponding understanding of how to translate the rhetoric into practice (Halliday et translate the rhetoric into practice (Halliday et al, 2004)al, 2004)

Collaboratives in Extension: A Collaboratives in Extension: A HeuristicHeuristic

multi-multi-multi-multi-multi-multi-Multi-stateMulti-state Extension projects; Extension projects;

Research projects; Research projects; IntegratedIntegrated

Multi-institutionalMulti-institutional 1862, 1890, 1994, 1862, 1890, 1994, Hispanic serving, other Hispanic serving, other educational institutionseducational institutions

Multi-agencyMulti-agency Various agencies, may Various agencies, may be within one sector or be within one sector or one federal agencyone federal agency

Multi-sectorMulti-sector Public, private, non-Public, private, non-profit, voluntary; publicsprofit, voluntary; publics

Heuristic of collaborativesHeuristic of collaboratives

Multi-disciplineMulti-discipline Cross program areaCross program area

Cross academic Cross academic disciplinesdisciplines

Multi-siteMulti-site Program implemented at Program implemented at different sites; may be different sites; may be county faculty county faculty implementingimplementing

Multi-levelMulti-level Different levels, statusDifferent levels, status

Work unitWork unit Self-directed teams; Self-directed teams; county offices working as county offices working as single unitsingle unit

Multi-state collaborationMulti-state collaboration

Education and Research NetworkEducation and Research Network

Our heuristic…Our heuristic…Range in: no two are alike; what we Range in: no two are alike; what we

might expect of each or how each might expect of each or how each functions will vary functions will vary

Geographic focus: international, Geographic focus: international, national, multi-state, regional, campus, national, multi-state, regional, campus, multi-county, county, multi-community, multi-county, county, multi-community, local communitylocal community

Internal – external: Internal – external: Extension as member Extension as member Extension as consultant, trainer…Extension as consultant, trainer…

Life span: short – many yearsLife span: short – many years OriginOrigin Purpose: 5 C’sPurpose: 5 C’s

What is the group’s purpose? What is the group’s purpose?

StructureStructure ProcessProcess IntegratIntegrationion

NetworkNetwork CommunicationCommunication

Support groupSupport group ContributionContributionIndependent goalsIndependent goals

Task force, Task force, council, council, alliancealliance

CoordinationCoordinationComplementary goalsComplementary goals

Partnership, Partnership, consortiumconsortium

CooperationCooperationJoint goals, individual Joint goals, individual

identitiesidentities

CollaborativeCollaborative CollaborationCollaborationJoint goals, joint identifyJoint goals, joint identify

What about our roles? What roles What about our roles? What roles do we play in collaboratives?do we play in collaboratives?

Leader: promotes vision and directionLeader: promotes vision and direction Facilitator: guides the processFacilitator: guides the process Coach/mentor: encourages excellence; supports Coach/mentor: encourages excellence; supports

relationshiprelationship Trainer: skill developerTrainer: skill developer Modeler: demonstrate behaviorsModeler: demonstrate behaviors Linker/networker: access resources; new Linker/networker: access resources; new

partners; build bridges partners; build bridges Mediator: facilitates conflict managementMediator: facilitates conflict management Evaluator: appraises processes and resultsEvaluator: appraises processes and results Cheerleader: spreads spirit; celebratesCheerleader: spreads spirit; celebrates Champion: advocates of collaborative, Champion: advocates of collaborative,

collaborative approach and issuecollaborative approach and issue

What do we know about roles? What do we know about roles?

Roles change Roles change Internal - external rolesInternal - external roles May play multiple roles May play multiple roles

simultaneouslysimultaneously Clarity is important; open Clarity is important; open

conversations about roleconversations about role Negotiate/renegotiate rolesNegotiate/renegotiate roles

Benefits of collaboration – Expected Benefits of collaboration – Expected OutcomesOutcomes

Personal growth; encounter multiple perspectivesPersonal growth; encounter multiple perspectives Increased productivityIncreased productivity Enhanced motivationEnhanced motivation Advanced thinking, creativity; quality of workAdvanced thinking, creativity; quality of work Combined insights and wisdom enriches fieldCombined insights and wisdom enriches field Solve more complicated issuesSolve more complicated issues Access to resources/additional sources of fundingAccess to resources/additional sources of funding New areas of research; new opportunities open New areas of research; new opportunities open

upup Access to and development of instrumentsAccess to and development of instruments Access to and development of dataAccess to and development of data Increased visibility, recognitionIncreased visibility, recognition

SynergySynergy

““The power to combine the The power to combine the perspectives, resources and skills of perspectives, resources and skills of a group of people and organizations a group of people and organizations to create something new and to create something new and valuable.” valuable.”

Laskar, Laskar, 20012001

The whole is greater than the sum The whole is greater than the sum of the parts of the parts

Phases of collaborative Phases of collaborative developmentdevelopment

Loose chronological phases - Loose chronological phases - continuumcontinuum

Form, Norm, Storm, Perform, AdjournForm, Norm, Storm, Perform, Adjourn Series of tasks and activities with the Series of tasks and activities with the

various phasesvarious phases Negotiated order: social order is Negotiated order: social order is

shaped through self-conscious shaped through self-conscious interactions of participantsinteractions of participants Collaboratives evolve Collaboratives evolve Make meaning through interactionMake meaning through interaction

Phases of collaborative developmentPhases of collaborative development

Define goals and expected outcomesDefine goals and expected outcomes

Set structure, proceduresSet structure, procedures

Create shared visionCreate shared vision

Develop relationshipsDevelop relationships

Identify, mobilize stakeholdersIdentify, mobilize stakeholders

Form and Form and

FocusFocus

Celebrate progressCelebrate progress

Ensure supportEnsure support

Design and implement actionsDesign and implement actions

Develop action plansDevelop action plans

Organize Organize and Actand Act

Transform, terminateTransform, terminate

Sustain capacitySustain capacity

Achieve individual, system, Achieve individual, system, community changecommunity change

Achieve and Achieve and TransformTransform

Form

Nor

mStor

mPe

rform

Adjo

urn

Unbundling collaborationUnbundling collaboration

1.1. Self-InterestsSelf-Interests

2.2. Feasibility of Feasibility of collaborationcollaboration

3.3. Collaborative relationship Collaborative relationship

4.4. Collaborative productCollaborative product

5.5. Collaborative Collaborative effectiveness: Value effectiveness: Value added from collaborationadded from collaboration

Self-InterestsSelf-Interests

Collaborations are initiated and driven by Collaborations are initiated and driven by individual interests. For collaboration to individual interests. For collaboration to occur, individuals must believe that occur, individuals must believe that working together serves their own working together serves their own interests and is worth the costs. interests and is worth the costs.

Expectancy theory: degree to which Expectancy theory: degree to which individual believes the linkage between individual believes the linkage between his/her action and resultant outcome. his/her action and resultant outcome. Expect team work to lead to desired Expect team work to lead to desired goals.goals.

Why do you participate? What do Why do you participate? What do you hope to gain?you hope to gain?

Productivity – papers, curricula; Productivity – papers, curricula; can’t do it alonecan’t do it alone

CollegialityCollegiality Passion for the issuePassion for the issue Credibility, recognitionCredibility, recognition To feel less isolatedTo feel less isolated Enhance learning, creativity Enhance learning, creativity Required - recommendedRequired - recommended

Feasibility of collaboration - Feasibility of collaboration - ReadinessReadiness

Is collaborative warranted, needed, Is collaborative warranted, needed, likely to succeed? likely to succeed?

Is timing right? Is timing right? How ready is the community – agency How ready is the community – agency

– environment for this collaboration?– environment for this collaboration? What is the historical context?What is the historical context? What are the facilitators/barriers? What are the facilitators/barriers?

political realities/liabilities?political realities/liabilities? Resource availability?Resource availability?

FeasibilityFeasibility

Collaboration is not always best or Collaboration is not always best or appropriate, depending upon appropriate, depending upon issue/situation and purpose.issue/situation and purpose.

Feasibility in terms of: Feasibility in terms of: Collaborative (the group)Collaborative (the group) Individual memberIndividual member Agency/organizationAgency/organization

Not a bandwagon but a thoughtful, intentional choice

OUTCOMESINPUTS OUTPUTS

Collaborative Product

Collaborative Relationship

Assumptions External factors

Building a logic model of Building a logic model of collaborationcollaboration

EVALUATION

SITUATION

Collaborative

Effectiveness

Partners

Funding

Research-based

Key stake

holders

Change in behaviors

Value-added

• Clientele

•Users

•Policy makers

Policy changes

Change in

Knowldge

Attitudes

Skills

Motivation

Intent

Self-efficacy

Implement activities – action plan

Monitor and evaluate

Communicate

Advocacy/Policy

Collaborative Relationship building

• Individual members

• Group

Change in• behaviors •decision making

Change in• KAS• Self-efficacy• Intent

•Effective functioning partnership•Member satisfaction

Changes in conditions

Collaboration: Theory of change Collaboration: Theory of change

C O N T E X T: political environment, organizational cultures, regional turf, funding

System changes

Community changes

Capacity building -TA

Collaborative Relationship - Collaborative Relationship - Internal functioningInternal functioning

Burgeoning research since mid ’90’s Burgeoning research since mid ’90’s because found to be so central to because found to be so central to performance and outcomes. performance and outcomes.

Community coalitions have not lived up Community coalitions have not lived up to expectations. to expectations.

Emphasis on internal dynamics; factors Emphasis on internal dynamics; factors linking to effectiveness and efficiencylinking to effectiveness and efficiency

Little empirical support about best Little empirical support about best practices given variation in practicepractices given variation in practice

What seems to matter What seems to matter

CapacityCapacity

OperationsOperations

ClimateClimate

ContextContext

Open conversations in all these areas facilitates more effective collaboration

CapacityCapacity

Member attributes: gender, career Member attributes: gender, career status, professional status, cultural status, professional status, cultural heritage; skills, expertise, work style, heritage; skills, expertise, work style, tolerance for sharing power; tolerance for sharing power; flexibility/willingness to adaptflexibility/willingness to adapt Group size, diversity Group size, diversity Complementarity of membersComplementarity of members

Attitudes: interest in collaboration; openAttitudes: interest in collaboration; open Status differentials Status differentials Standards and expectationsStandards and expectations

OperationsOperations Operating proceduresOperating procedures Planning – goal setting (logic modeling)Planning – goal setting (logic modeling) Roles and responsibilitiesRoles and responsibilities Member participationMember participation LeadershipLeadership Decision makingDecision making Communications: within and outsideCommunications: within and outside Capacity buildingCapacity building Conflict managementConflict management Linkages: external, internalLinkages: external, internal Accountability: to individual, to teamAccountability: to individual, to team

Climate Climate

Trust: character-based; Trust: character-based; competency-basedcompetency-based CommunicationsCommunications InteractionsInteractions

RespectRespect CompatibilitiesCompatibilities SatisfactionSatisfaction

ContextContext

CultureCulture Value of collaborationValue of collaboration Incentive and reward systemIncentive and reward system History of collaborative workHistory of collaborative work Credit, authorshipCredit, authorship ResourcesResources Collaborative originsCollaborative origins Proximity of partnersProximity of partners

Collaborative Product – External Collaborative Product – External focusfocus

Products, services, activities, networks, Products, services, activities, networks, curriculum, etc. that collaborative creates curriculum, etc. that collaborative creates

Note: community coalitions often not to provide Note: community coalitions often not to provide services services

Outcomes = changes; desired conditions the Outcomes = changes; desired conditions the collaborative seeks to achieve; what you are collaborative seeks to achieve; what you are creating as a result of working together. creating as a result of working together.

Behavioral change: Individual, groupBehavioral change: Individual, group Policy changePolicy change System changeSystem change Community changeCommunity change Ultimately, change in conditionsUltimately, change in conditions

Collaborative Outcomes: IssuesCollaborative Outcomes: Issues

Who decides and defines?Who decides and defines? Horizontal complexityHorizontal complexity Vertical complexityVertical complexity Are outcomes important, realistic?Are outcomes important, realistic?

Underlying theory of changeUnderlying theory of change Time frameTime frame External factorsExternal factors

Collaborative Effectiveness – Collaborative Effectiveness – Ultimate outcomesUltimate outcomes

Value added: partnership as a whole Value added: partnership as a whole yields more than what could have yields more than what could have been accomplished by individualbeen accomplished by individual

Value added indicators: dependent Value added indicators: dependent upon particular collaborativeupon particular collaborative

May be difficult to set a prioriMay be difficult to set a priori You get what you measureYou get what you measure

Collaborative effectiveness: Collaborative effectiveness: Ultimate outcomes Ultimate outcomes

Value-addedValue-added Quantitative and qualitative synergistic program Quantitative and qualitative synergistic program

outcomesoutcomes Linkages with other programs and actorsLinkages with other programs and actors Enhanced capacity and influenceEnhanced capacity and influence Other multiplier effectsOther multiplier effects

Partners meet own objectivesPartners meet own objectives Enhanced performance in pursuing own missionEnhanced performance in pursuing own mission Enhanced performance in satisfying constituenciesEnhanced performance in satisfying constituencies

Partnership identifyPartnership identify Partnership culture and valuesPartnership culture and values Name recognitionName recognition Partnership constituenciesPartnership constituencies

Brinkerhoff, 2002)

Lessons learnedLessons learned

It is hard and time consuming but benefits can It is hard and time consuming but benefits can be more than worth itbe more than worth it

No two are alikeNo two are alike A journey, as well as a destinationA journey, as well as a destination Personal is as important as proceduralPersonal is as important as procedural Process is as important as outcome Process is as important as outcome

Demands time and investment of resourcesDemands time and investment of resources

Key aspects: Commitment to need of the Key aspects: Commitment to need of the partnership; Clear, defined agreed upon goals; partnership; Clear, defined agreed upon goals; Defined operating procedures; Atmosphere is Defined operating procedures; Atmosphere is one of trust and respect; Mutual accountabilityone of trust and respect; Mutual accountability

““We build the We build the road and the road and the road builds road builds

us.”us.”

-Sri Lankan saying-Sri Lankan saying

Web addressWeb address

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/pdandehttp://www.uwex.edu/ces/pdande

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