Workshop tool
Collaborator mapping
Use this when you need to find the core partners with the competencies your project is missing.
Where it’s used:Step 2: Identify partners
How to use it
Ask these questions when looking for core project development partners:
- What competencies that you don't have are essential to the success of this project?
- Do you know someone with those competencies?
- Who has previously published in this area?
- Do they need to be included as a core partner?
- Is this a strictly scientific project, or is there a commercial, policy or societal aspect to it?
- Do you need to include industry, government or societal partners?
- What are your potential partners' motivations to join?
- Think both professionally and personally. Is it for the science, prestige, salary, status?
- How important is this collaborator to the success of the project?
- Is this collaborator essential or a “nice-to-have”?
Record the answers in the collaborator map: name, interest in the project (work-related and personal), what they can contribute, importance (1–10) and partner type (scientific, industry, policy or societal).
Don't build a core group of more than 5–6 people, as more researchers means more opinions. Keep the core group small and interdisciplinary.
Collaborator map: example
XX
- Interest in the project (work-related and personal)
- Has previously published within this research area. Wants to be involved in state-of-the-art research to stay ahead of the curve.
- This collaborator can contribute with
- Great technical knowledge, international network and experience in fundraising
- Importance to include (1–10)
- 8
- Scientific, industry, policy or societal partner
- Scientific
YY
- Interest in the project (work-related and personal)
- Has previously published within this research area. Soon needs new funding to support own salary.
- This collaborator can contribute with
- New perspectives and reflections from a completely different research discipline
- Importance to include (1–10)
- 8
- Scientific, industry, policy or societal partner
- Scientific
ZZ
- Interest in the project (work-related and personal)
- Runs a business that would greatly benefit from this project. Could see a potential for expanding portfolio and accessing new markets.
- This collaborator can contribute with
- Test facilities and established user/customer base
- Importance to include (1–10)
- 6
- Scientific, industry, policy or societal partner
- Industry
QQ
- Interest in the project (work-related and personal)
- NGO which works with citizen involvement in the green transition of food production. Needs to stay relevant to maintain support for their cause.
- This collaborator can contribute with
- Powerful in societal adoption of new initiatives/technologies and research
- Importance to include (1–10)
- 7
- Scientific, industry, policy or societal partner
- Societal
WW
- Interest in the project (work-related and personal)
- Wants a greener local community. Wants the appearance of doing “something” and that they are working with experts.
- This collaborator can contribute with
- Implementation and testing in a real-life setting. Potential policy changes to ease implementation.
- Importance to include (1–10)
- 7
- Scientific, industry, policy or societal partner
- Policy
Source: START Triple-I project development tool kit, pp. 9–10.