In the August PM cover story, “Contemplating Collaboration,” written by David Swindell, director and associate professor, Center for Urban Innovation, Arizona State University, and Cheryl Hilvert, director, Center for Management Strategies, ICMA, Washington, D.C., readers can learn the environment in which collaboration will occur.

Among the lists and resources included in the article, understanding these seven environmental factors can help a local government management team determine if collaboration is even possible, much less destined for success:

1. Possible public partners. Before considering collaboration, a manager should fully understand the number and capacity of potential public partners in the area and identify which can be legitimate partners in a collaborative service delivery effort.
2. Possible private partners. In addition to possible public sector partners, managers should be aware of private sector firms that may be viable partners.
3. Possible nonprofit partners. Nonprofit groups are highly capable of partnering in a service delivery collaborative.
4. Political environment. Managers should recognize the support or obstacles that exist among elected officials of the community.
5. Fiscal/economic health. The community’s fiscal condition may be a motivating factor in wanting to pursue collaboration.
6. Employee/labor relations. Different communities face different kinds of labor and employee relationships that can create pressure on collaborative discussions.
7. Public interest. Some services are naturally more likely to attract the attention of residents than others.

For complete information on these factors, along with characteristics associated with service and project type and forms of collaborative service delivery, read “Contemplating Collaboration” in the August PM.