From The Intersector Project’s “Research to Practice” series, this article looks closely at scholarly research and highlights key facts, actionable takeaways, and additional resources practitioners can turn to for related guidance.

Talk of cross-sector collaboration as an approach to designing, building, and operating public infrastructure has heightened — with discussion probing both the benefits and costs. A recent American Review of Public Administration article provides new insight into partnership approaches to managing infrastructure. The article provides a close look at an ongoing Department of Homeland Security led collaboration to manage the country’s “Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources” — a term that denotes assets that are essential to the nation’s security, public health and safety, economic vitality, and way of life. In the context of this broad, complex federal partnership, the author outlines key elements that practitioners should consider when designing a successful partnership.