Collaboration
is hard enough on its own.
Introducing PARTNER
A powerful technology platform and method for measuring and understanding networks, collective impacts, and systems building. PARTNER helps you use network science and data to see what’s really affecting the value of your network and its outcomes, so you can evolve your network strategy over time.
The PARTNER Method is our 5-step process for building and adapting data-driven network strategies. Based on our 30+ combined years of network research & practice, it takes a network from a strategic foundation into an ongoing evolution cycle to learn, adapt and grow. Here’s how the method works.
1 Shift Your Network Mindset
Drawing on the principles of network science, we walk through alternatives to the ‘more is better’ concept. For example, fewer partners thoughtfully selected to maximize bridging ties provides the same collaborative advantage with fewer needed resources. By the end of this step, you should understand how networks can be impactful, without expending all your resources.
Ready to Shift?
2 Design Your Network Strategy
To make the most out of the data process, you need to have an intentional network strategy in place. In this step, we probe to identify the “ideal” network to achieve your desired network objective, based on identification of roles, targeted use of resources, and goals for reach and impact. This process allows us to set a benchmark for where things are and where they should be in the future.
Ready to Design?
3 Track Your Network Data
With your strategic foundation complete, we focus on the metrics you need to measure and track with the PARTNER Platform to inform your strategy and tactics. For example, you may track perceptions of trust and value, resource exchange, communication, and structure. By the end of step three you will have collected data that is ready to be analyzed and translated to practice.
Ready to Track?
4 Adapt Your Network with Insight
With data collection ongoing, you can begin to explore results and engage in sense-making exercises. In Step 4 we foster shared learning and problem solving, while maintaining strategy as our guiding principle. Our analysts, along with our Insights Library and resources can help you turn data into clear action steps and adjustments to your strategy to meet short and long-term goals.
Ready to Shift?
5 Enact Your Strategy Action Steps
Finally, the data we collected, learning we’ve conducted, and action steps we create are implemented in your network to build capacity. Coaches and consultants work alongside network management to translate the date into practice. This could include building capacity and buy-in within your network; information gathering and research; coaching and consultation for strategic engagement, and more.
Ready to Enact?
1 Shift Your Network Mindset
Drawing on the principles of network science, we walk through alternatives to the ‘more is better’ concept. For example, fewer partners thoughtfully selected to maximize bridging ties provides the same collaborative advantage with fewer needed resources. By the end of this step, you should understand how networks can be impactful, without expending all your resources.
Ready to Shift?
2 Design Your Network Strategy
To make the most out of the data process, you need to have an intentional network strategy in place. In this step, we probe to identify the “ideal” network to achieve your desired network objective, based on identification of roles, targeted use of resources, and goals for reach and impact. This process allows us to set a benchmark for where things are and where they should be in the future.
Ready to Design?
3 Track Your Network Data
With your strategic foundation complete, we focus on the metrics you need to measure and track with the PARTNER Platform to inform your strategy and tactics. For example, you may track perceptions of trust and value, resource exchange, communication, and structure. By the end of step three you will have collected data that is ready to be analyzed and translated to practice.
Ready to Track?
4 Adapt Your Network with Insight
With data collection ongoing, you can begin to explore results and engage in sense-making exercises. In Step 4 we foster shared learning and problem solving, while maintaining strategy as our guiding principle. Our analysts, along with our Insights Library and resources can help you turn data into clear action steps and adjustments to your strategy to meet short and long-term goals.
Ready to Shift?
5 Enact Your Strategy Action Steps
Finally, the data we collected, learning we’ve conducted, and action steps we create are implemented in your network to build capacity. Coaches and consultants work alongside network management to translate the date into practice. This could include building capacity and buy-in within your network; information gathering and research; coaching and consultation for strategic engagement, and more.
Ready to Enact?
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