Download Resource
As described in “Collective Impact,” complex social problems cannot be solved by a single organization. The rules of interaction in a collective impact process put participants on a journey of embracing collective vigilance, learning, and action. Through this journey, exciting new solutions to complex problems emerge. This article appeared on www.ssireview.org.
Top Takeaways
- Since the process and results of collective impact are emergent rather than predetermined, unforeseen opportunities present new solutions. This happens in three ways.
- A previously unnoticed practice, movement, or resource from outside the community is identified and applied locally.
- Local individuals or organizations begin to work together differently than before, and they find and adopt new solutions.
- A successful strategy that is already working locally is identified and spread more widely.
- Developmental evaluation provides on-going feedback for decision making by uncovering newly changing relationships and conditions that affect potential solutions.
Leaders of successful collective impact initiatives have embraced a new way of seeing, learning, and doing that marries emergent solutions with intentional outcomes.
