A common recipe for success can be applied to any shared services or collaboration effort. Shared services can be unique and have elements that will apply exclusively to each individual project. For projects to be successful, it is best to tailor an approach that takes individual differences into consideration for each shared services program.

In the May cover story of Public Management (PM) magazine, author Monte Mercer, deputy executive director, North Central Texas Council of Governments, shares the collaboration recipe that has proven to be extremely useful. Here are the main points of the course of action he describes:

1. First and foremost, underpromise and overdeliver! It is important to establish achievable results. If you set unattainable milestones or goals, you can undermine your credibility.
2. Begin the procurement process with the end goal in mind. Look toward the future throughout the RFP research, development, and scoring process. With forethought, you can avoid many of the traps and delays that can evolve during the process. Look for opportunities to standardize because standardization is usually one of the largest contributors to reducing risk and achieving cost savings.
3. Use a grassroots approach based on a crawl-walk-run philosophy. It is best to start with a small pilot group and perfect the program before rolling out to a larger audience. Project champions are crucial in building a strong foundation for shared services projects as they have a real interest and commitment to performing the due diligence necessary to support the program and to assuring its success. 

Read the entire article or see the complete May issue.