Collaboration

The ability to work inclusively and productively with a group toward a collective outcome; the ability to create an environment where each perspective is considered for the cooperative purpose of making progress toward common goals.

Collaboration involves coordinated interaction between the individual members of a group or team. To successfully collaborate, groups should be able to articulate a shared vision for the group and clearly identify roles for each member. Integration of diverse perspectives creates new insights and should not just be respected but also sought out. Successful collaboration requires the group to define and continually examine processes for iteration, communication, and accountability.

Guiding questions

• What is the shared vision (common goal) of the group?
• What are my roles and responsibilities, and the roles and responsibilities of others in the group?
• How am I encouraging and integrating a diversity of viewpoints into the group’s process? Are there any missing viewpoints?
• Is the group revisiting, reflecting, and improving upon its ideas and process for continual improvement?
• How am I communicating with members of the group to track work progress and task status updates? What is working and what do we need to change?
• How am I helping each member of the group (including myself) be accountable in completing agreed upon tasks and responsibilities?