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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

Image by Vitaly Gariev
PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The Collaboration Planning process includes:

  1. Intake & Registration

    • Complete a brief Collaboration Planning Intake Form

    • Share team goals, roles, disciplines, and scheduling preferences

    • Team members complete a brief survey to identify challenges and barriers to success 

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Post-Session Follow-Up

    • Teams receive a recording or summary of the session  

    • A post-session survey helps assess impact and identify next steps

    • Team is encouraged to begin drafting their plan and to revisit and refine it over time

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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:

 

STAY CONNECTED

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Become a member and get access to research resources and services offered by the CCTST. Click here to apply.

CONTACT US:

CCTST: cctst@uc.edu 

REDCap: help-redcap@bmi.cchmc.org

240 Albert Sabin Way, Location S, Suite 2.200

Cincinnati, Ohio 45229

The Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) is a registered trademark of DHHS NIH Acknowledgment:

 

Publications resulting from use of CCTST resources must credit the appropriate CCTST grant by including an NIH Funding acknowledgment: The CCTST at the University of Cincinnati is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program, grant UM1TR005265. The CTSA program is led by the NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). The content of this website is solely the responsibility of the CCTST and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

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