This inventory is a practical tool for discovering how your
collaboration is doing on the twenty factors that research has shown
influence success (see Collaboration: What Makes It Work). The inventory
takes about fifteen minutes to complete. It can be distributed to a
small group of leaders in the collaborative, during a general meeting,
or via mail to all members for the most complete picture. You can tally
your score manually or online. The tool includes complete instructions
for administering, scoring, and interpreting the results, plus a
definition of collaboration and descriptions of the twenty success
factors. Groups that are considering collaboration can use it to see if
they have what they need to succeed. They can then act quickly to shore
up weaknesses and capitalize on strengthsóbefore formalizing the
collaboration, or in its early stages. Established collaborations can
use the inventory to troubleshoot problems, demonstrate successes to
funders, and uncover differences in how participating organizations
perceive the collaboration. Consultants to collaborations can use the
tool to help the collaboration assess itself and to intervene for the
most effective results.