Time constraints on members, who tend to add on their collaborative commitments without giving up other responsibilities, can be a major barrier to the collaborative process. This should be remembered when planning collaborative action. Organizations participating in collaborative efforts should operate with collaborative and supportive policies within their own organizations, and individual members should practice participatory, democratic processes. Communication within participating organizations is as important as communication among participating organizations. Individual members have a responsibility to coordinate their participation with others in their own group so their contributions are effective and coherent.
Common courtesy is one of the most essential characteristics of collaboration.
This includes returning phone calls, acknowledging written correspondence, listening to people, and treating people with respect. Communication among members should be clear so everyone knows what is happening and can explain the process to others outside the collaboration process. Multisector collaboration is difficult and complex, requiring time and patience. To be effective, collaboration often requires trained, professional facilitators in addition to regular staff. Facilitators, either occasional or long-term, can serve as impartial observers, making recommendations for improving collaborative practices.