Developing Collaborative Capacity: A Diagnostic Model

Abstract

Federal Acquisition Reform acknowledges the importance of effective collaboration among participating organizations. However, both research and practical experience have shown that inter-organizational collaboration can be difficult to achieve. This research builds on a model developed by the authors with homeland security organizations that identified enablers and barriers to collaborative capacity. The focus of our current research is to develop a diagnostic mechanism that can be used to improve that capability. The initial conceptual model and research from homeland security has been elaborated into an item bank of diagnostic interview and survey questions. A diagnostic process based on the established practices of organizational development is offered to guide the design and application of tailored assessments. Recommendations are given for the use of the diagnostic process to generate organization- or network-specific data that can guide action planning to improve collaborative capacity.