Collaboration is one of those words that we all know is important, but without much understanding or support, how do we know how to do it well?

In the classroom, it’s not just about putting students in groups and letting them get on with it – “productive collaboration” requires more intentionality. This also applies to the workplace – how can we support positive collaboration to make teamwork both an effective and enjoyable experience to get the best outcome for all?

As a large national practice with a range of project types and scales, teams can evolve over the course of a project from conception through to documentation and construction. Collaborations can be with personnel in the same physical location or virtual, with interstate colleagues in other offices or working remotely. To enhance effective teamwork and foster more intentional development of personal and relational connections within the workplace, we developed a collaboration tool, the Social Contract guide.

There is a step-by-step guide for three different phases of a project: Initiation (beginning), Interim (middle), and Debrief (end). To facilitate conversations and support people to articulate their thoughts, picture cards are used for participants to reflect and share experiences, motivations, strengths and weaknesses toward developing shared understandings and expectations for working together.  In addition, we have created a version on Miro which allows interstate teams to engage in the process together.

To read more about this tool, read our blog on collaboration on the Integrative Briefing for Better Design website here.

If you would like a copy of the Hayball Social Contract guide please fill in details below. The tool is an iterative work-in-progress, so if you have any feedback, we would love to hear from you (via email to fyoung@hayball.com.au).