Best Practice

  

In considering applications, we are looking for indications of a commitment to high quality collaboration. Some examples of healthy best-practice collaboration might include:
Agreeing an overarching core ‘problem’ or challenge to resolve – and in doing so, agreeing a shared understanding of the benefits this will likely bring participants and the community
When compared to ‘going it alone’, the collaboration will result in long-term, sustainable outcomes benefiting the community, service recipients and participating organisations
An increase in the scope of services offered and/or significantly reduced ’waste’ or duplication
A shared understanding or MoU involving all participants ensuring the process and end goals (or outcomes) are agreed and clearly understood by all participants.
A commitment and passion from stakeholders for:

  • Quality
  • Each other
  • The newly developing ‘group identity’
  • Inclusive, respectful relationships, with both service providers and recipients involved where possible
A planned, authentic process with:

  • A clear vision or common agenda
  • A focus on the integrity of the initiative and delivery to those it will serve
  • Clear decision-making processes
  • Transparency
  • Realism
  • A commitment to excellent communications
  • Clearly agreed roles of all stakeholders and how they will be engaged
  • A realistic but flexible timeline
  • Mutual accountability
  • Sharing of resources, ideas, intellectual property, expertise and so on
For organisations merging:

  • They will become more effective and efficient, and will work collaboratively to make the merger happen
  • Successful mergers will see the creation of a new organisation where collaboration becomes the ‘new normal' in daily operations

For checklists and guidance on collaboration, visit the WTMF resources page.