Getting to Know your Partners

Do my partners and I have the same ideas about the deeper causes contributing to the problem our project is trying to address? Do we have the same vision of what achieving impact looks like?

It is best to start asking these questions to yourself, as well as partner organizations, to establish a relationship wherein you both feel ownership for achieving project impact. Adaptive learning will require all stakeholders to recognize that they can learn from the experiences and expertise of others and that all voices should be given a platform to define the shared vision of success.

Do we both understand the potential risks that could arise with the project, and do I appreciate their contribution? What power dynamics are at play?

Building off of the last question, do I see myself as my partners’ equal, so that we both can learn from each other? This is a good space to ask about previous contexts of development project interventions in the area, and how that might shift the way project staff and beneficiaries will relate to you. Discussing power dynamics also highlights what decision-making processes will look like, and if your partners prefer reaching a consensus or trusting one person to have the final say.

Do we both agree to consistent monitoring and constant reflection to address whether we are actually reaching the desired impact?

This could be a good opportunity to ask your partners to define their view of failure as well. Are they also committed to consistently learning about how the project is advancing, and how you can implement changes to achieve a greater impact before time or donor funding runs out?