Professional tools for development practitioners building effective partnerships across South Asia
Systematic approach to building and managing strategic partnerships
All partners gain value and achieve their objectives through collaboration
Open communication about goals, resources, and decision-making processes
Joint responsibility for outcomes and collective problem-solving
Long-term orientation with mechanisms for ongoing partnership health
Fundamental trust-building with respect for different organizational cultures
Flexibility to evolve partnership as contexts and needs change
Define partnership approach and strategic goals
Resource mobilization and financial collaboration
Joint program delivery and service provision
Research collaboration and learning exchange
Policy influence and collective advocacy
Skill development and institutional strengthening
Platform building and collective action
Evaluate potential partner fit and capacity
Very different missions
Some alignment
Perfect mission fit
Limited relevant skills
Adequate expertise
Strong complementary skills
Financial concerns
Stable finances
Very strong financially
Reputation concerns
Good standing
Excellent reputation
Structure partnership activities and governance
One organization leads, others support
Rotating or joint leadership structure
Formal consortium with governance board
Loose network with coordination node
Create comprehensive partnership agreements
Identify and mitigate partnership risks
Assess partnership performance and impact
Major goals not met
Most goals achieved
All goals exceeded
Poor communication, frequent misunderstandings
Generally good communication
Excellent communication and coordination
Inefficient use of resources
Reasonable resource efficiency
Highly efficient resource use
Limited innovation or learning
Some new approaches and learning
Significant innovation and mutual learning
Generate comprehensive documentation for your partnership development and management.