Introduction

Before embarking on a collaboration, partners will need to clarify and agree a range of issues. The NCVO Collaborative Working publication Should you collaborate will help with further information on what issues to consider before you decide if collaboration is the right solution for your organisation.

Useful questions to answer will include:

• What are our aims for this collaboration?
• What can we achieve together that we could do less well separately?
• Do we have the support of our Trustees and Chief Executive?
• Does it fit with our strategic vision and current priorities?
• What is the role of each collaborating partner?
• What are the benefits to each party?
• What are the costs and resources required?
• What timescales are realistic?
• What would happen if things went wrong?

Potential collaborators will want to consider whether to begin a new collaborative initiative - perhaps starting their own version of what has happened elsewhere, or whether there would be more benefit in joining an existing collaborative initiative, if there is one available. This will depend on issues such as:

• Development or start-up costs
• Size – is there benefit in starting small, or is critical mass important for success?
• Locality – do we need our own local version of this model?
• Culture – do we need a version that meets specific needs, customs and ways of working?

ICT Collaborations

The case studies and examples in this publication begin to map collaborative initiatives from which organisations can learn, or which they might join. These are not exhaustive, and new collaborations are beginning all the time. Whilst there are many models and variations of collaboration possible, we identified nine main areas. These are demonstrated by ten case studies that illustrate one or more of the areas. These nine areas are explained in detail in the following pages with the relevant case studies cited. A fuller discussion of possible models, with pros and cons, and some links to wider examples, then follows. More detailed versions of most of the case studies will soon be available at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/cw