A Local-State Government Spatial Data Sharing Partnership

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Chapter 7 – Model Development and Discussion
Through the institutional alignment of the various components of the model the
development of the SDI is also facilitated. SDI development relies on the building of
partnerships for data sharing which contributes to the broader government and community
objectives of sustainable development through improved economic management, more
effective delivery of social services and the responsible management of our environment
and natural resources.
7.3.2 The Collaborative Process
The six key elements of the collaborative process component are now discussed.
Partnership Strategy and Formulation
This component of the partnership model reflects the early
stages of the partnership building process including its
direction setting and establishment. The partnership
strategy and formulation process requires an appropriate
level of research on the partners, an assessment of the risk,
development of initial communication networks and the
adoption of an appropriate engagement strategy. The state
government case studies found that the early stages of
partnership development are resource intensive, so access to
appropriate funding is critical.
The research identified that prior to establishing the
partnership it was important to research the capacity of
potential partners in the collaboration. Only one of the state
agencies investigated demonstrated that they had undertaken any significant level of
research in this regard. Risk assessment is now a common business process which is
undertaken to identify any unexpected situations or outcomes that may not have been
initially anticipated.
Partnership
Strategy and
Formulation
Governance
Partnership
Management
Business Rules
and
Responsibilities
Data Exchange
and Maintenance
Partnership Strategy
and Formulation
Leadership
Partnership Research
Communication Networks
Risk Assessment
Funding
Capacity Building
Shared Goals
Negotiation
Agreement Development
Inevitably, this component involves a period of negotiation which can often take a number
of years to complete, as identified in the partnerships investigated. Development of good
communication networks at an early stage in the formulation of the partnership is critical
to these negotiations. The negotiations usually eventuate in contractual arrangements
which specify the responsibilities of both partners. Where possible these contracts should
be flexible enough to accommodate small variations, have the ability for extension for
further periods and include the facility to expand the arrangements to cover future areas of
Performance
Monitoring