Guide to Successful Public-Private Partnerships Released

The Center for Digital Government and Center for Digital Education, national research and advisory institutes on information technology (IT), issued a report, called "Essential Partnerships: A Guide to the Successful Creation of Public-Private Partnerships." http://media.centerdigitalgov.com/reg2view/Essential_Partnerships_FINAL.pdf

Rhonda Wilson

http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=83748

The report provides case studies and best practices on successful strategies and management techniques used between private industries and public agencies and departments in government and education.

The guide also outlines how to write and manage Request for Proposals, methods on how to cut costs without jeopardizing the bottom line, and techniques to increase customer service and build winning business relationships.

"For more than two decades, the centers and their sister divisions — including Government Technology magazine — have worked closely with senior-level government, education and private industry leaders," said Cathilea Robinett, executive director of the centers. "While many of these leaders have always stressed the importance of partnerships, few have really opened up and fully explained the essential ingredients that go into making them work. Until now."

Findings include:

* 50 percent said that a desirable partner is proactive and responsive to providing technical support, aid and assistance to answering questions

* 16 percent said that it was important that both the public- and private-sector staffs work closely on every aspect of the project

* ·16 percent said that scheduling flexibility played a critical role.

Other key ingredients to successful partnerships are technical collaboration, group planning and the development of a cooperative vision, formation of user groups, willingness to assist with training, and consistent response times.