Partnering Frequently Asked Questions
What do we mean by the term 'partnering'?
What does CRAFT stand for?
How do you start to develop a partnering approach?
What are the most important considerations?
Why are relationships important in business?
What benefits can one get from Partnering?
How do you measure effective relationships?
What does a good partner look like?
If partnering is about working well together why do I need a dispute procedure?
How important is the behaviours of individuals?
Is partnering always a good idea?
Do I need executive support for partnering?
Everyone talks about trust but how do you get that in a contract?
Do I need a partnering agreement and a contract?
How do I protect intellectual property?
Can Partnering help with outsourcing contracts?
Is partnering just about working without conflict?
What is the down side to partnering?
How do I know if my partner is competitive?
What sort of savings can I expect from a partnering relationship?
What sort of structure is needed to manage a partnering arrangement?
How do I know if my organisation is suitable to partner with others?
Is there a risk in Partnering?
How do customers react to partnering arrangements?
Why do I need a relationship management framework?
Can partnering help develop CSR programmes?
What do I do when a partner’s performance is not adequate?
How long should I allow for a partnering arrangement to mature?
How do I know I am getting value for money?
What does a good partner look like?

In every case the answer will be different because the question assumes a common profile. Each organisation will look for something different to reflect their needs and often their own shortcomings. What is important is that they display an honest culture and ethos that is embedded in the organisation and not a sales patter that purports to support partnering approaches.

The CRAFT MAP (maturity assessment programme) was developed to give a holistic profile of an organisation that can be monitored over time. Experience suggests that no organisation is perfect and in addressing weakness both partners improve.