Collaboration Planning Program

OVERVIEW

The Collaboration Planning Program, facilitated by CCTST Collaboration & Team Science (CaTS), empowers research teams to proactively strengthen collaboration, enhance scientific outcomes, and co-create a shared roadmap for success. This roadmap—known as a Collaboration Plan or Team Charter—is a dynamic, living document that captures the team’s agreed-upon commitments, support structures, and strategies to foster effective teamwork. Facilitator-led sessions support teams at any stage of development, from newly forming groups to established teams launching new research projects or proposals.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

Prevent common team conflicts before they arise
Build strong, sustainable team processes from the start
Foster shared understanding across disciplines
Create a living document to guide current and future collaboration

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?

Multidisciplinary research teams tackling complex questions
Early-stage investigators and staff seeking team leadership support
Community-engaged research teams working across institutional boundaries
Teams preparing for new projects or funding proposals

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The Collaboration Planning process includes:

Intake & Registration: Team members complete a brief survey to identify challenges and barriers to success
Pre-Session
- CaTS facilitators and the team leader meet to tailor the session to the team’s needs
- Review of team challenges, goals, and relevant project materials
- Optional pre-session assessments or workshops available
Facilitated Session
- 90-minute guided discussion led by a CaTS facilitator (virtual and in-person sessions are available)
- Team members can follow discussion points on a customized Collaboration Planning Worksheet
- Topics include:
  - Team vision and success metrics
  - Roles and responsibilities
  - Key areas requiring team alignment (e.g., authorship, outputs)
  - Team culture and norms (e.g., communication, coordination, shared values)
  - Decision-making and conflict resolution
  - Project management and infrastructure
  - Data and information management
  - Creation, implementation, and maintenance of the living document
Post-Session Follow-Up
- Team receives a summary of the session to inform the writing of their team Collaboration Plan
- Team is encouraged to begin drafting their plan and to revisit and refine it over time
- A post-session survey helps assess impact and identify next steps for the CaTS program

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION

Builds trust and psychological safety through facilitated discussion
Provides a living document to onboard new team members and guide collaboration
Serves as a resource for dispute resolution and team reflection
Access to additional CaTS workshops and consultations

GET STARTED

To learn more or schedule a Collaboration Planning session for your team:

Complete the Intake Survey: https://redcap.research.cchmc.org/surveys/?s=PAAX9TK9T9MJEX9M
Contact: hildrele@uc.edu

STAY CONNECTED

Subscribe to the CaTS Listserv: https://listserv.uc.edu/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=CATS&A=1
Visit the CaTS Website: https://www.cctst.org/cats

Attribution:

The Collaboration Planning resources and practices presented on this site are adapted from and informed by the original research and programmatic framework developed by Rolland and colleagues. We acknowledge the foundational contribution of:

Rolland, B., Scholl, L., Suryanarayanan, S., Hatfield, P., Judge, K., Sorkness, C., … Brasier, A. R. (2021). Operationalization, implementation, and evaluation of Collaboration Planning: A pilot interventional study of nascent translational teams. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 5(1), e23. https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2020.515