Key Elements of CoINs?

• Dispersed Membership: Members are spread worldwide but share a common goal.

• Interdependent Membership: Cooperation is crucial, with members' work being mutually dependent.

• Decentralized Structure: There is no central command; conflicts are resolved without hierarchy.

• Common Goal: Members are intrinsically motivated to contribute towards a shared objective.

• Trust: Trust and ethical conduct are fundamental, with members adhering to a moral code
  

A Collaborative Member Charter?

A charter in a collaborative innovation network serves as a guiding document that outlines the network's goals, ethical standards, and operational guidelines. It helps establish a common understanding among members, ensuring that everyone is aligned with the network's objectives and principles. You can read our Member Charter here.

Network Facilitator?

A Network Facilitator is a neutral party within the network who facilitates communication and negotiation among members. This role is crucial for resolving conflicts and ensuring that all voices are heard, thereby maintaining the network's collaborative spirit and trust-based environment. Our current network facilitator is Malcolm Fraser - Co-Director of the Impact Accelerator at Otago University, and a professional doctorate student.

Supporting Platform?

The supporting platform refers to the technological infrastructure that enables the network's operations. This includes internet platforms, email, and other communication tools that facilitate the exchange of information and collaboration among dispersed members. The platform is essential for maintaining the network's connectivity and efficiency, allowing members to share knowledge and innovate effectively.

Platform Partners?

Platform partners play a crucial role in collaborative innovation networks by providing essential resources, capabilities, and connections that enhance the network's overall innovation capacity. These partners can include a diverse range of entities such as enterprises, universities, research institutions, intermediaries, and government departments. See our current Platform Partners here.

Establishing Virtual Projects in a CoIN?

Establishing and disestablishing virtual projects within a Collaborative Innovation Network (CoIN) involves several key steps and considerations to ensure effective collaboration and innovation. Here’s the genric view, and you can see our current portfolio of Virtual Projects here.

Establishing Virtual Projects in a CoIN

1. Identify Objectives and Scope: Clearly define the goals and scope of the project. This involves understanding the specific innovation challenge or opportunity the project aims to address.

2. Formulate a Charter: Develop a project charter that is consistent with the overall mission and member charter, that outlines the objectives, roles, responsibilities, and expected outcomes. This document serves as a guiding framework for all participants and helps align their efforts towards common goals.

3. Assemble the Team: Select participants based on their expertise, experience, and the value they can bring to the project. This team should include diverse members from different organizations or disciplines to foster a rich exchange of ideas and knowledge.

4. Establish Governance and Processes: Define the governance structure and processes for decision-making, conflict resolution, and progress monitoring. This includes appointing an honest broker to facilitate communication and ensure transparency and trust among participants.

5. Kick-off the Project: Conduct an initial meeting to introduce team members, review the project charter, and set expectations. This meeting helps build rapport and establish a collaborative culture.

Disestablishing Virtual Projects in a CoIN

1. Evaluate Project Outcomes: Assess whether the project objectives have been met and evaluate the outcomes against the initial goals. This evaluation should consider both the tangible results and the intangible benefits, such as knowledge gained and relationships built.

2. Document Learnings and Insights: Compile a report that captures the key learnings, insights, and best practices from the project. This documentation is valuable for future projects and helps in knowledge transfer within the network.

3. Formal Closure: Officially close the project by conducting a final meeting to review the outcomes, celebrate successes, and acknowledge contributions. This meeting provides closure for participants and reinforces the value of their efforts.

4. Disband the Team: Release team members from their project roles and responsibilities. Ensure that any ongoing tasks or follow-up actions are clearly assigned to appropriate individuals or teams.

5. Reflect and Plan for Future: Reflect on the project experience to identify areas for improvement in future projects. Use the insights gained to refine processes and enhance the effectiveness of the CoIN.

By following these steps, The Impact Accelerator Network can effectively manage the lifecycle of virtual projects within its Network, ensuring that we harness the collective intelligence and creativity of our members to drive impact.