What is a Performance Partnership?

A Performance Partnership is a partnership organized around a specific, measurable result. The model was developed in the 90's that has produced a variety of measurable results in areas from reducing child abuse and teen pregnancy to salmon restoration and bay cleanup.

What is the Partnership Model?

The model requires assembling a group of partners all interested in attacking the same issue. The model asks four questions:

• Where are we now? (baseline).
  • A jumping-off point against which to measure progress
• Where do we want to be? (target)
  • Agreement on a single measurable outcome
  • Agreement on the what rather than the how
• How will we get there? (multiple strategies)
  • No one party owns the answer to “How will we know we are getting there?”
  • Allow a wide array of strategies– even competing strategies– to be used by the various partners
  • Consider low-cost and no-cost strategies
• How will we know we are getting there? (measures)
  • Devise a measurement strategy that includes both process and outcome measures. If measures are moving in the wrong direction, regroup and rethink strategies

How does it differ from other partnerships?

• Loose governance structure
• Emphasizes cross-sector initiatives
• Circumvents hierarchy/no turf battles
• No one party owns the direction
• Encourages self-organizing efforts
• Focus is on a measurable result tied to a vision
• Data not just used to measure progress but also as a motivator
• Focus is on a better use of existing resources (money, time, people)

Download this powerpoint presentation for more information.

Performance Partnerships - An Implementation Plan