How do you assess and reward collaborative performance and outcomes in your institution?

1 Define your goals and criteria

The first step to assess and reward collaboration is to define your goals and criteria for collaborative work. What are the expected outcomes, deliverables, and impacts of collaboration? How will you align them with your institutional vision, mission, and values? How will you communicate them to your collaborators and stakeholders? How will you ensure that they are clear, relevant, and achievable? By defining your goals and criteria, you will provide a framework and a direction for collaboration, as well as a basis for evaluation and recognition.

2 Use multiple and diverse methods

The second step to assess and reward collaboration is to use multiple and diverse methods to capture the complexity and richness of collaborative work. Collaboration can take various forms, such as interdisciplinary projects, cross-functional teams, co-teaching, co-researching, co-publishing, and co-curricular activities. Therefore, you need to use different methods and sources of data to assess the process and the product of collaboration, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, portfolios, reports, publications, and feedback. You also need to consider both quantitative and qualitative indicators of collaboration, such as inputs, outputs, outcomes, impacts, satisfaction, engagement, learning, and growth.

3 Involve your collaborators and stakeholders

The third step to assess and reward collaboration is to involve your collaborators and stakeholders in the design, implementation, and review of your assessment and reward system. Collaboration is a participatory and relational process that requires trust, respect, and communication among the parties involved. Therefore, you need to engage your collaborators and stakeholders in setting the goals and criteria, selecting the methods, collecting and analyzing the data, interpreting and reporting the results, and identifying the strengths and areas for improvement. You also need to solicit and incorporate their feedback, suggestions, and recognition into your reward system.

4 Align your rewards with your values and goals

The fourth step to assess and reward collaboration is to align your rewards with your values and goals for collaborative work. Rewards can be intrinsic or extrinsic, formal or informal, individual or collective, monetary or non-monetary. They can also vary depending on the type, level, and duration of collaboration. Therefore, you need to choose the rewards that best suit your context, culture, and objectives. You also need to ensure that your rewards are fair, transparent, consistent, and meaningful for your collaborators and stakeholders.

5 Celebrate and share your successes and challenges

The fifth step to assess and reward collaboration is to celebrate and share your successes and challenges with your collaborators and stakeholders. Collaboration is a learning and improvement opportunity that requires reflection, feedback, and recognition. Therefore, you need to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions, achievements, and learnings of your collaborators and stakeholders. You also need to share and disseminate your results, impacts, and best practices with your internal and external audiences. By celebrating and sharing your successes and challenges, you will create a positive and supportive culture for collaboration in your institution.

6 Review and revise your system

The sixth step to assess and reward collaboration is to review and revise your system regularly and systematically. Collaboration is a dynamic and evolving process that requires adaptation, innovation, and responsiveness. Therefore, you need to monitor and evaluate your system periodically and systematically. You also need to identify and address any gaps, issues, or opportunities for improvement. By reviewing and revising your system, you will ensure that it is relevant, effective, and sustainable for your institution.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?