1. Measuring Collaboration: Is There A Recipe For Success?
SIG Network Webinar
February 5, 2014
Presented by: Courtney Salzer
Co-Director, Region 4 PTAC
Co-Director, WI FACETS’ PTIC
The contents of this document were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H325R However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, David Emenheiser.

2. Courtney’s Disclaimers
I am NOT an evaluator – the information in this presentation is largely based on my experience and some of the existing working theories on collaboration.
I work at WI FACETS, which is one of over 100+ parent centers throughout the country. My experiences may not represent the experiences of every other parent center.
I do not believe in sugar coating things. I have worked on our SIG projects for almost 10 years. We have been through good times, bad times and just plain confusing times.
I have been told that my PowerPoints generally have too many words and not enough visuals, so please enjoy my clipart. I worked very hard on it.

3. Widely Used Collaboration Lifecycle
Five Levels of Collaboration
(Frey, et al., 2006)
Networking
Cooperation
Coordination
Coalition
Collaboration

4. The Lifecycle of our SIG/SPDG Collaboration
The Dark Days
First Date
Making a commitment
True Partnership

5. Lessons We’ve Learned
Collaboration is a process, which ebbs and flows – this makes it somewhat challenging to measure, but not impossible!
The term “Collaboration” means something different for everyone. Try to establish a common language. Effective measurement will be difficult without it.
Measurement of collaboration should occur at several phases during its lifecycle.
Each collaboration has vital signs that can be measured, a “recipe” of sorts.

6. What Goes Into “The Recipe”?

7. Ingredient 1: Systemic Vital Signs
Communication
Cooperation
Shared Decision-Making
Shared Vision & Goals
Sufficient Resources
Skilled Leadership
Openness/Transparency
Appropriate Cross-
Section of Collaborators

8. Ingredient 2: Collaborator Vital Signs
Are collaborators well-informed?
Are collaborators willing to compromise?
Do collaborators believe their group or constituents will benefit from the collaboration?
Is everyone at the table?
Are collaborators willing to work through conflict?
Does respect exist between
collaborators?
Is there trust between

9. Two Helpful Resources for Building Collaboration
“Leading By Convening. A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement”
Source: IDEA Partnership
Location:
“Serving on Groups that Make Decisions. A Guide for Families”
Source: WI FACETS
Location:

10. A Cautionary Note on Measuring Collaboration
Evaluation is usually done, in part, for continuous improvement. In my experience, there is always much room for improvement. However, if all you focus on is improvement, you will in time kill the momentum of your collaboration. When your evaluation reveals successes or milestones, you must celebrate them – however small they may be.

11. Shifting Collaboration Paradigms
Old Paradigm: Effective collaboration is a “nice by-product”.
New Paradigm: Effective collaboration is an outcome.
Old Paradigm: Measuring collaboration = are people talking to one another?
New Paradigm: Measuring collaboration = measuring systemic + collaborator vital signs
Old Paradigm: Successful projects are those with many outcomes and products
New Paradigm: Successful projects are those with collaborative outcomes and products

12. Thank you!
Questions?