The 12 phases of the partnership process

As I said, the model is divided into 12 phases that extend from the first nascent idea, through the selection of partners to the end of a partnership.

1. Boundary
   Understand the challenge: gather information, talk to stakeholders and potential resource providers. Create a vision for the partnership.
   • Why is this partnership necessary and what are its goals.
2. Identification
   Identifying potential partners and securing their involvement. Motivate them and encourage cooperation.
   • Explore what types of partners can add value to the partnership.
   • Investigate the possibilities both within your existing network, or also seek out new contacts.
   • Select the most suitable partners and secure their cooperation.
3. Structure
   Partners build their collaborative relationship by agreeing on goals, objectives and core principles that underpin their partnerships. Here, a partnership agreement is entered into, which e.g. may contain the following points:
   • Parties to the agreement - who enters into the agreement?
   • Purpose of the assignment. What is the assignment?
   • Audience. Who is the target of the assignment?
   • Organization of the work – where is the task to be completed? Who leads it? How should coordination take place? Is there a steering committee?
   • Distribution of roles between the parties in the project. Who does what?
   • Partner's competences in the area.
   • Regular dialogue meetings between the parties?
   • Objectives for the effort/success criteria.
   • Financial conditions – who pays what?
   • Experience gathering and evaluation – how should it take place?
   • Agreements on termination of cooperation: either a fixed term or an evaluation after e.g. one year.
4. Planning
   The partners plan activities and begin to outline a coherent project.
5. Steering
   Partners explore the structure and management of their partnership in the medium and long term. You can either choose a person from one of the partner organizations or hire an external person who acts as a guide and leads the partnership.
6. Resource acquisition
   The partners (and other supporters) identify and mobilize financial and non-financial resources.
   • Make e.g. resource map of the competences of all involved partners, so that all resources are utilized as best as possible.
7. Implementation
   When there is control over resources and agreement about the details of the project, the implementation process begins, where you work based on an agreed schedule and (ideally) against specific initiatives.
   • Make sure that one person has an overview of the delivery process, so that this does not disappear in the day-to-day tasks of the parties.
8. Measurement
   Results and impact are measured and reported based on the agreements that have been previously concluded. Does the partnership achieve its goals? Is there anything that needs to be changed?
9. Assessment
   What impact does the partnership have on the partner organisations? Is it time for partners to leave the collaboration and / or new ones to enter?
10. Revision
    Reconsidering partnership, program(s) or projects based on experiences.
11. Institutionalization
    Building appropriate structures and mechanisms for the partnership, which in the long term ensures commitment and continuity.
12. Maintenance or Termination
    Partners create sustainability or agree on a suitable end. Four possible scenarios:
    • Individual partners leave the partnership and their place is taken over by others.
    • The partnership is dissolved and responsibility for the project is left to one of the parties.
    • The partnership is dissolved and a new organization is formed.
    • The partnership ends. The partnership was temporary and will be terminated as planned or could not meet its objectives and will therefore be terminated.

Freely processed after The Partnering Toolbook

Please note that these are just guidelines. Each partnership follows its own unique route. However, remember that each of these phases is important and none should be ignored if the goal is a balanced partnership that achieves its goals.

12 phases in the partnership process

Freely processed after The Partnering Toolbook

See also our videos about partnerships here