 Organizing and Managing the Process
Collaborative processes do not manage themselves. They need a structure that provides clear objectives, focuses discussion, clarifies roles and responsibilities, and seeks assistance as necessary and appropriate. They also need to effectively structure meetings. There are several things that a group can do to enhance the effectiveness of their collaborative effort.
Articulate a common mission or statement of purpose
Capturing the group’s vision and objectives in written form early in the process often helps motivate and guide participants’ efforts. While simple in concept, these statements can be quite powerful in focusing former adversaries on a goal that all share in common.
 Click here for examples of mission statements drafted by collaborative groups.
Clarify roles and responsibilities
Who is in charge anyway?! Because collaborative processes connect many organizations and individuals in a new working relationship, one of the first challenges is to figure out who is responsible for what. Who provides guidance? Who follows through with ideas? Who interacts with the media? Some groups establish a policy governing board; others designate a coordinator who serves as the main point person. When government agencies with varying authorities for a resource are involved, it is useful to clarify the structure of their interactions in a formal Memorandum of Understanding. It is also helpful to the group as a whole to identify ground rules for the process that keep discussions civil and productive. Some groups document the structure and expectations of their process in formal Operating Agreements.
Ensure effective representation and participation
While identifying individuals and organizations that should be involved in the collaborative process is part of the “getting started” stage, ensuring that these individuals are actually able to participate is an issue that a group needs to be attentive to as they structure and run their process. It is important to consider the different needs and constraints of participants in order to ensure that their participation is both possible and productive.
Click here for a discussion of issues to consider in ensuring effective representation and participation.
Seek facilitation assistance.
Many collaborative groups benefit from the assistance of skilled facilitators. These individuals who are familiar with the dynamics and challenges of group problem-solving and decision-making can help with the early stages of discussion where a group is unsure how to proceed, as well as with the later stages when the group is faced with making difficult decisions.
Click here for a description of what facilitators do. Specific groups that may be able to help you identify a facilitator for your group can be found on our resources page.
Think strategically about the external environment
Legal, political, and media issues can become substantial road blocks for collaborative groups. However, by approaching them strategically, these issues can also become strengths. Click on the topic below for information you can use in order to help your group more easily interact with the external environment.
 The legal challenges of collaboration, particularly information on FACA
How to work with the media and write press releases, media advisories, op-eds, and backgrounders
Tools for you to use in thinking about political relations including political analysis and working with elected officials
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