Checklist
Below are some quick tests to help you consider whether your work with a partnership is as effective as it could be. These are aimed primarily at those working in local authorities, although they are generic concerns for all partnerships. You can use it in conjunction with the Five Minute Review [PDF] 
flowchart.
Clarity of purpose
Performance management
Reducing duplication
Decision-making and Delegated Responsibilities
Clarity of purpose
- Has the partnership got clear aims and objectives?
- Have these been endorsed by service users, customers and/or communities?
- Are they complementary to the aims and objectives of your organisation? If not, is it really appropriate to be there?
- Are the objectives of the partnership likely to bring about tangible improvements?
- Is partnership working the best way of delivering these objectives?
- Is it clear why your organisation is involved?
- Is it clear what you need to do?
Performance management
- What systems are in place to monitor the progress of the partnership relative to organisational objectives?
- How does the partnership’s success in delivering its outputs get reported?
- Do you know enough about the other partners’ priorities, objectives and roles?
- Are you clear that you are all working towards the same objectives?
- Are there any arrangements in place to monitor and evaluate and audit the work of the partnership?
- What is the role of service users, customers and/or communities?
Reducing duplication
- Is there another partnership that deals with the same issue?
- Can the objectives be achieved through that partnership instead?
- Is anyone else from your organisation involved in this partnership?
- Can you avoid duplication by covering meetings for each other? Or can you share the work with colleagues?
Decision-making and Delegated Responsibilities
- What are the links between decision-making in the partnership and decision-making in your organisation?
- What impact might this have on the way you work?
- What are the risks of being involved in this partnership?
- Do you have enough authority to bring about any service improvements that arise from this partnership?
- Are you clear about your role and the extent to which you can commit your organisation to action?
- Do you have the right skills and knowledge to do this work? Check the skills list to identify any training needs you might have.
- Are you clear about what resources have been allocated to this work?
