Review and define the social, economic, language, and cultural characteristics of the community that is expected to benefit from the partnership

Identify key stakeholders who need to be involved in the partnership

Develop strategies that foster the involvement of stakeholders

Make use of pre-existing relationships or networks among stakeholders that can facilitate the partnership process

Identify the goals and expectations of each potential partner

Discuss the pros and cons of working together, giving special attention to completed or ongoing joint projects

Define principles that promote transparency and mutual exchange of information

Foster a critical understanding of each partner’s limitations to contributing to the partnership, with particular attention paid to competing priorities

Work to elicit concerns about the collaborative process, giving careful attention to issues of partners’ readiness to participate

Assess potential partners’ capacity to engage in the partnership including their time demands and staffing

Identify important administrative functions and activities to facilitate the partnership

Discuss the risks and benefits of the partnership for all parties

Agree about who will own specific products, including data, instruments, or intervention materials

Establish policies regarding authorship on manuscripts and other presentations

Discuss the potential for dissemination of program curricula, products, or other materials among current as well as new partners

Create a mechanism for allowing modification when unanticipated events affect the partnership

Create a mechanism for monitoring partnership activities to ensure quality and address problems as they arise

Establish a contingency plan, with consequences for nondelivery or delays

Have alternates to key positions in the partnership team