Social Network Analysis (SNA) surveys are often the first and most important step in understanding how relationships drive collaboration, resource sharing, and system performance. But crafting the right questions—ones that respondents can actually answer clearly—takes time, expertise, and testing. This guide is built for public
When you’re mapping relationships—not just opinions—every missing response can move the map. In social network analysis (SNA), nonresponse doesn’t just shrink your sample; it can skew centrality, density, and the story your stakeholders see. That’s why the goal is to maximize boundary coverage using a
For more than a decade, “collaboration” has been the social impact watchword. Coalitions, alliances, and collective impact initiatives have flourished. Yet most ecosystem builders know the hard truth: good intentions alone don’t sustain change. Without coordination, connective tissue, and accountability, partnerships stall. Enter the field
In every community or organizational network, there are key individuals who help keep the system connected and effective. These people are known as network brokers—individuals who sit at strategic points in a network and play a crucial role in facilitating collaboration, resource-sharing, and information flow.
Healthy networks don’t happen by accident. They are intentionally designed ecosystems that evolve through clear goals, purposeful structure, and a relentless focus on relationships. Drawing on ten key topics from VNL’s Insights Library, below are condensed lessons you can apply today—whether you’re launching a new
Communities and coalitions rely on strong relationships to create change—but those relationships are often invisible without the right tools to map and measure them. Social network analysis (SNA) can shine a light on these connections, but understanding and acting on the data requires more than
Last week, I opened a newsletter that hit me with a concept that immediately clicked—and not just because I’ve worked in SaaS. The article, written by Isaac Peiris, dives into a core idea from product strategy called Time to Value (TTV)—the amount of time it
Community Asset Mapping is an essential tool for anyone looking to build stronger, more connected, and more resilient communities. Rather than focusing on deficits or gaps, this strengths-based methodology helps identify and map the resources, relationships, and capacities that already exist—offering a more empowering path
Our first SNA case study explores network resilience and fragmentation across 43 Florida Healthcare Collaboratives. Here’s what they found.
This comprehensive guide explores the essential frameworks, digital platforms, and proven methodologies that power successful community engagement initiatives. From time-tested frameworks like IAP2’s Spectrum of Public Participation to cutting-edge digital solutions for network mapping and collaborative decision-making, we’ll examine tools that help organizations move beyond
Click one of the links below to download a free resource to strengthen your community partnerships, collaborative network, and strategic ecosystem.
Advice for building, managing, and assessing cross-sector networks or coalitions of partners.
A template to map the connections and interactions between key stakeholders in your community.
A worksheet and guide to help you think through and develop your network or ecosystem strategy.
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