Evaluate strengths and weaknesses

Networking and collaborations should be assessed and evaluated for their strengths and weaknesses in order to identify how to make improvements. You can also use this information to understand and improve how to engage with networks and collaborations in the future. Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of collaborations enables recommendations for action, such as whether to maintain the current activities, adapt them or seek further collaboration.

Periodically during your participation in a network or collaboration, and at completion (for time-based collaborations), carefully evaluate what benefits were gained from involvement, how stated goals were met and what you have learnt from the experience. Equally, evaluate the weaknesses and challenges of the relationship and identify unmet goals.

Structure your evaluation using the following headings.