The USDA Forest Service National Collaboration Cadre (Collaboration Cadre) assists in organizing collaborative groups on a model entitled: “Building a Solid Foundation for Collaborative Efforts—the 4-P Foundation: Purposes, People, Process, and Products.” The better the foundation is built, the better the stability and function of the collaborative effort. However, over time as situations change and participants come and go, the effectiveness of the collaborative group can diminish. When that begins to occur, participants intuitively know that something isn’t right.
When these signs begin to appear it is often because the Purposes, People, Process, Products have become misaligned; the 4–Ps are no longer working with one another and may be working against one another. It is probably time to examine the alignment of the foundational elements, identify the problems and implement corrective measures.
The USDA Forest Service National Collaboration Cadre works with national forests, communities, collaborative groups, and interested stakeholders to help them engage in effective collaboration.
USDA Forest Service National Collaboration Cadre, April 2019
