Give & Take matrix

Once partners are contacted, the group should adjust expectations as early as possible. Play with open cards and make sure everyone's agenda for participating is visible.

1. Ask every participant what they wish to achieve from the collaboration: funding for their salary, a couple of high-impact papers, new equipment, a new PhD student, merging an existing project with a new one, a larger network, etc. It must be specific for each collaborator.
2. Write the collaborators' names in the top row and left column, and their wants on the diagonal.
3. Ask: what can I do for everyone else to achieve their wants? Each collaborator answers what they can do for the others.

When the matrix is filled out, it becomes clear what everyone brings to the table and what everyone can achieve. It also shows whether someone has unrealistic expectations or does not really bring anything to the table.

Use the matrix continuously as you progress. What people want to achieve might change over time, or new things could come up.