Module 3 · Lesson 3.1
Six stages in one relationship
Collaboration is not one thing. The Continuum of Collaboration describes six stages, C1 to C6.
Key idea
Different working relationships need different levels of collaboration. Each stage asks more of both teams, so the aim is the stage an interface needs, not the highest one.
Video coming soon: Alex introduces the lesson
About 6 minutes. Until it is recorded, the lesson below covers everything in it.
Collaboration is not one thing
The same logic that applies to specificity applies to collaboration. Different situations need different levels of it. A one-off, low-stakes request is handled perfectly well by a simple message. A working relationship that recurs and genuinely matters usually needs more.
The Continuum of Collaboration describes six stages. They are often shortened to C1 to C6.
| Stage | The habitual way people work together |
|---|---|
| C1 Communication | Information is exchanged. |
| C2 Contribution | People routinely supply useful work or input, beyond passing on information. |
| C3 Coordination | Activities and timing are habitually aligned. |
| C4 Cooperation | Shared goals, roles and rules are the norm. |
| C5 Collaboration | Teams routinely create integrated outcomes together. |
| C6 Constructed Collaboration | The interface between the teams is designed and maintained, not just used. |
One Harbourline relationship, six stages
Harbourline · Hartford and Cork
The stages are easiest to understand in one real relationship as it matures. At Harbourline, Account Management in Hartford looks after Northlight Financial. Rachel Kim is the account director. Billing and Revenue in Cork, run by Emma Novak, invoices Northlight when project milestones are reached.
Try it
One relationship, six stages
Account Management in Hartford and Billing and Revenue in Cork, as the relationship matures. Choose a stage.
| The habit | Information is exchanged. |
|---|---|
| At Harbourline | Rachel emails Billing to say a milestone has been reached. Information changes hands, and nothing more. Billing chases the rest. |
Each stage asks more of both teams than the one before. Most interfaces don’t need to reach C6.
Each stage asks more of both teams than the one before. That is why the stages are not targets to climb as fast as possible. Most interfaces don’t need to reach C6, as you will see in lesson 3.3.
Stages C1 to C5 are credited to Chirag Shah, Collaborative Information Seeking (2012); C6 Constructed Collaboration is Expertivity’s addition.
Pause and think · your notes
Think of one working relationship between your team and another that recurs and matters.
How Alex would answer
Answer for an ordinary week, not the best one. Lesson 3.6 comes back to this interface with the survey statements, so a rough placing is enough for now.
What comes next
The stages describe one relationship here. In practice you will use them to read the mix across many relationships at once, which is the subject of the next lesson.
What to take away
- There are six stages, from C1 Communication to C6 Constructed Collaboration.
- Each stage asks more of both teams than the one before.
- The stages are not a ladder to climb as fast as possible; most interfaces don’t need C6.
Your progress
Course contents · This is the open version of the course. Your notes, progress and check scores are saved on this device, and in your account when you are signed in.