What Does Collaborative Capacity Mean? Moving Toward a Shared Understanding

Collaboratives continue to emerge as a viable and effective type of organization that can tackle today’s most complex problems. Collaboratives reflect the best qualities of formal and informal organizations — durable and adaptable. To optimize these qualities, their capacity needs must be met.  

The purpose of this research note is two-fold: 

(1)    to raise awareness that collaboratives (as a type of organization) have capacity needs just like all other enduring organizations, and
(2)    to help develop a common language and understanding of collaborative capacity and other relevant terms.