Approach to Collaboration

Michigan's Collaboration Infrastructure

None of us knows everything.

Together we know much more.

Why does it work?

  • Cross-sector partnerships

  • Years of building trust

  • Interconnected networks

  • Culture/atmosphere of collaboration

  • Common agenda(s)

Collaboration Frameworks

There are currently three primary frameworks that influence our approach to collaboration. These approaches inform both the whole and individual parts of the process to enact change through the Michigan Good Food Charter.

Below is a description of each with videos and links to learn more (if available).

Collective Impact

Collective Impact is an approach that seeks to "brings people together,
 in a structured way, to achieve social change."

Collective Impact is centered around five pillars:

  1. A Common Agenda

  2. Continuous Communication

  3. Shared Measurement

  4. Mutually Reinforcing Activities

  5. Backbone Organization(s)

Collective Impact also employs a set of principles of practice that make it work:

  • Design and implement the initiative with a priority placed on equity.

  • Include community members in the collaborative.

  • Recruit and co-create with cross-sector partners.

  • Use data to continuously learn, adapt, and improve.

  • Cultivate leaders with unique system leadership skills.

  • Focus on program and system strategies.

  • Build a culture that fosters relationships, trust, and respect across participants.

  • Customize for local context.

Results Based Accountability™️

Working backwards, starting with the results we want to see in our communities and state, we identify clear measures and actions that will help us address complex problems with community-based leadership at the core.

We are adapting this approach for our Michigan Good Food Shared Measurement Initiative. We are in the process of identifying:

  • Headline Indicators, including a mix of quantitative and qualitative data we wish to measure over time

  • A set of criteria tailored for Good Food work in Michigan

  • Secondary Indicators, which could be dynamic over time

  • A "Data Development Agenda," which outlines the steps we would need to take to fill in the gaps where data isn't readily or publicly available

Group Development Model

This approach allows a group to get on the same page about why, who, how, before we settle on what.

*For more information on the Group Development Model or a referral for training, contact scaleral@msu.edu

Group Development Model sets you up to ask the right questions in an order that builds buy-in and collaboration. Below are some examples of Group Development Model questions that flow from each of the steps.

  1. WHY?

  • What is the purpose of this group/meeting?

  • What is the ultimate goal we are reaching for?

  • Why are working together?

  1. WHO?

  • Who is the leader/backbone organizer?

  • Who has what resources?

  • What motivates us as individuals/organizations to join in this work?

  • Who is here?

  • Who is missing?

  1. HOW?

  • How do we want to work together?

  • How do we...communicate, make decisions, manage conflict, hold ourselves accountable?

  • How can we use existing or new "structures" to accomplish our goals?

  1. WHAT?

  • What action steps must be taken? By when? By whom?

  • What does success look like? What will be different if we achieve our goal?

  • What measurements will determine success or progress?

  1. FEEDBACK

The cycle requires time and space intentionally set aside for feedback throughout all stages and encourages you to repeat the model as needed.