The Partnership 'Scorecard'

The Not for Profit sector is acutely aware of the “triple bottom line” for business and just what the corporate world wants to get out of a partnership with the community…but just how do you measure the mutual benefits of all those involved?

A UK initiative called “Innovation Through Partnership” has devised an international scorecard to evaluate the value of business and community partnerships.

The Partnership “Scorecard” is a two-way analysis tool that examines just how partnerships can derive mutual benefits from both the business and social partners involved.

The Scorecard is drawn broadly from what is known as the European Quality Foundation Model for Business excellence and uses six criteria:
1. Leadership
2. Purpose and strategy
3. People
4. Resources and networks
5. Learning process
6. Highlighting key results

A series of questions from each section allows the user to move through areas relating to both the impact and outcomes of a partnership. It not only considers the positive learning experiences but also makes reference to lessons learnt from failure and offers examples along the way of ‘best practice’ partnerships.

Organisers say the “Scorecard” aims to capture knowledge and innovation effects of partnerships which are often inadequately understood or exploited.

The project is a joint initiative by the UK Department of Trade and Industry, the Business in Community Group, the Institute of Social and Ethical Accountability and the Local Futures Group.

To take a look at the project and check out the “Scorecard” go to www.innovation-partnership.org.

We’d love to hear how your ‘partnership’ scored too! Send us an e-mail to probono@probonoaustralia.com.au.